Government Ensures Rapid Response to Alleged Radioactive Exposure in Cikande

Jakarta – The government, through relevant ministries and agencies, is moving quickly to respond to reports of suspected radioactive exposure that occurred some time ago. Emergency response measures were immediately taken to ensure public safety and prevent potential wider impacts.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) stated that an investigation by the Cs-137 (Cesium-137) Hazard Management Task Force confirmed that the radioactive material contamination that occurred in August 2025 occurred only in the Cikande Modern Industrial Area.

The exposure to radioactive Cs-137 was discovered after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Customs discovered frozen shrimp products from Indonesia containing radioactive material at several ports. The shrimp had even reached major retail stores such as Walmart.

Special Staff to the Minister of Trade for International Trade Agreements Bara Krishna Hasibuan also stated that not only shrimp but also exported cloves contained radioactive Cs-137.

“That’s right, (exports) aren’t just to the United States, they’re also to Europe, but we’re still investigating. Yesterday, the only report came from the United States,” said Bara.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulhas also stated that the Cs-137 Task Force has taken swift action to decontaminate the radioactive material. The Task Force has conducted radioactive neutralization (decontamination) measures at the stainless steel smelter, specifically PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT), and several waste points contaminated with Cs-137.

“The Task Force’s investigation confirmed that the Cs-137 contamination only occurred in Cikande, so only at one location. Therefore, today we have declared Cikande a special incident,” said Zulhas.

Previously, the Ministry of Environment (KLH) discovered a source of Cs-137 radiation suspected to originate from PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT). Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that the contaminated metal material at the PMT likely originated abroad, as Indonesia does not have a nuclear reactor.

Zulhas also stated that there is a possibility that the cesium-137 exposure contained in shrimp exported to the United States originated from a container that arrived from the Philippines and docked at Tanjung Priok Port. The container likely contained iron scrap containing cesium-137, and was reused to transport shrimp, thus releasing the radioactive content. This is also being coordinated with Indonesian customs authorities.*