November 17, 2025 | 06:14 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the Diplomacy and Communication Division of the Cs-137 Handling Task Force, Bara Krishna Hasibuan, revealed the current condition of the 22 factories affected by Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in the Cikande area, Banten. Bara ensured that all 22 factories had been fully decontaminated and declared safe.
He explained that a total of 22 factories and 13 scrap metal storage booths (junkyards) have completed the decontamination process. This follows the discovery of radioactive exposure originating from PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT) smelting facilities.
Bara mentioned that the list of companies that was circulated last week contained outdated information and that all facilities are now clean. "I want to emphasize that the list of companies released last week, all of them have actually been decontaminated. They are clean," he said on Monday, November 17, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
As for the list of companies released last week, it was old data previously issued by the Ministry of Industry. "So there is actually nothing new there; everything has been decontaminated. We have declared them clear and clean."
Meanwhile, the facilities owned by PT Charoen Pokphand Indonesia, which had caused public concerns, are now completely safe. "So all the products they produce can be considered clear, free from contamination," he said.
As is known, the Cesium-137 contamination originated from PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT) smelting facilities. The exposure came from radioactive scrap metal.
During the smelting process, radioactive material evaporated and was carried through the air (airborne). This airflow carried the radioactive particles to various other points within the industrial area.
Bara stated that the government then installed a Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM) at the exit gate of the Cikande industrial area. "After that, we have proven that we have installed the RPM equipment at the Cikande industrial area exit gate, and for four weeks now, not a single contaminated vehicle has been detected."
Previous reports stated that the Cs-137 Handling Task Force said 975 tons of radioactive Cesium-137-contaminated material had been moved as of this time. They aim to finish the decontamination process by the end of November.
Meanwhile, Deputy for Pollution Control and Damage to the Environment (PPKL) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Rasio Ridho Sani, as Chair of the Mitigation and Handling Division of the Cs-137 Contamination Handling Task Force, said that intensive mitigation and decontamination efforts of Cesium-137 contamination in the Modern Industrial Zone of Cikande, Serang Regency, Banten, are ongoing.
"Up to this point, 975 tons of Cs-137 contaminated material have been successfully moved. The material is currently stored temporarily at the PT PMT location. It is hoped that the entire decontamination process will be completed by the end of November," Rasio said yesterday.
Rasio stated that the decontamination process has made significant progress, with contaminated Cesium-137 factory facilities having been decontaminated and already operational. Meanwhile, in the Red Zone locations, namely at locations A, C1, D, H, and I, they have been declared safe by the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) and the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BRIN).
As for locations B, E, F, F1, they are in the cementing stage with K-350 concrete, and point F2 is finalizing the cementing process. As for location C, behind PT VP's factory, preparations are underway for the containment process. "Containment is being done for the safety and security of the public; currently, the location is being fenced," said Rasio.
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