Indonesian Gov't Still Investigating Radiation Found in Shrimp Exports

16 hours ago 3

October 14, 2025 | 11:04 am

Illustration of radiation-contaminated shrimps. Shutterstock

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Cesium-137 Handling Task Force stated that it is still investigating the source of radioactive exposure in scrap metal that contaminated Indonesia's exported shrimp products.

"There are no conclusions at all. It's still in progress," said Bara Krishna Hasibuan, Head of the Diplomacy and Communications Division of the Cesium-137 Task Force, in Jakarta on Monday, October 13, 2025.

Bara explained that the shrimp products belonging to PT Bahari Makmur Sejahtera (BMS), which were repatriated from the Port of Los Angeles, United States, were contaminated by radioactive material from the steel smelting plant of PT Peter Metal Technology (PT PMT), located in the same industrial complex in Cikande, Serang, Banten.

The smelted cesium-137 is suspected to have formed fine particulates and spread to several airborne regions, including PT BMS. Therefore, Bara emphasized that it was not the smelting activity that produced the radioactive material, but rather the contaminated scrap.

Bara stated that the task force is still investigating the case of radioactive cesium-137 contamination in several shrimp shipments from Indonesia, which has been elevated to the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim). He emphasized that there is a possibility that this case could result in criminal charges.

Bara said that the police have not yet sought an explanation from the owner of PT PMT regarding the radioactive contamination from the industrial facility. This is because, Bara explained, the factory had closed before the contamination case was revealed. "The owner has already left and returned to his country," he said.

He stated that information from the factory owner is key to determining the cause of the radioactive contamination of the scrap metal.

Editor's Choice: US Restricts Indonesian Shrimp Imports Over Cesium-137 Contamination

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Eight Athletes to Represent Indonesia at Gymnastics World Championship in Jakarta

13 menit lalu

Eight Athletes to Represent Indonesia at Gymnastics World Championship in Jakarta

The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation has announced that eight athletes will represent Indonesia at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championship

Why Minister Purbaya Wants Indonesia's High-Speed Train Debt Moved to Danantara

1 jam lalu

Why Minister Purbaya Wants Indonesia's High-Speed Train Debt Moved to Danantara

Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya believes the High-Speed Train (Whoosh) debt should be covered by Danantara.

Half of the Most Endangered Animals Are in Indonesia, Here's What UGM Researcher Suggests

2 jam lalu

Half of the Most Endangered Animals Are in Indonesia, Here's What UGM Researcher Suggests

A report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) stated that of the 10 most endangered species in the world, five are living and breeding in Indonesia

Indonesia Crowned Overall Champion at 2025 ASEAN Bowling Championship in Kazakhstan

4 jam lalu

Indonesia Crowned Overall Champion at 2025 ASEAN Bowling Championship in Kazakhstan

The Indonesian Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan, has emerged as the overall champion of the 2025 ASEAN Bowling Championship, hosted by Malaysian Embassy.

Indonesia Invites Xiaomi to Invest in Electric Vehicle Industry

12 jam lalu

Indonesia Invites Xiaomi to Invest in Electric Vehicle Industry

Minister Agus thanked Xiaomi for its investment and contribution to developing the ecosystem of the smartphone and television industries in Indonesia.

Indonesia U-23 Draws 1-1 Against India Thanks to Dony Tri Pamungkas' Goal

12 jam lalu