The Indonesian government is moving to mandate the installation of Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) across the metal processing and smelting industries. This crucial measure aims to prevent any recurrence of Cesium-137 contamination incidents elsewhere in Indonesia, safeguarding public health and environmental integrity.
An RPM is a fixed radiation detection device specifically designed to identify gamma and neutron radiation sources. These systems are strategically positioned to scan vehicles, particularly container trucks, as they pass through monitoring gates. Should any vehicle be carrying nuclear materials or radioactive substances, the RPM instantly activates an alarm signal, providing an immediate warning.
“Therefore, it will be mandatory to install RPMs in industries that utilize scrap metal, effectively targeting metal-related industries,” stated Nur Syamsi Syam, Director of Regulation and Supervision of Nuclear Installations and Materials at Bapeten, during a media briefing on Thursday (4/12). He further elaborated that the government, through the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), has already issued a circular regarding this new obligation, as the metal industry falls under the ministry’s direct oversight.
The need for such stringent regulations became apparent following a recent contamination incident. The Task Force for Handling Cs-137 Radionuclide Radiation Hazard Vulnerability and Affected Communities concluded that the Cesium-137 contamination originated from PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT). This company, a stainless steel smelting plant, reportedly commenced operations in September 2024 and ceased activities in July 2025.
“We have successfully identified the root cause of the problem, tracing it back to the smelting industry,” remarked Sabbat Christian Jannes, Assistant Deputy for Food and Nutrition Security and Quality at the Coordinating Ministry for Food of Indonesia. “To prevent similar cases from reoccurring, the policy mandating the installation of RPMs was subsequently developed.” In addition to RPM installation, smelting industries will also be required to rigorously check their finished products to ensure they do not contain Cesium.
Regarding the contamination incident, the Directorate of Certain Criminal Acts (Tipidter) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) has named Lin Jingzhang, a Chinese national and Director of PT PMT, as a suspect in the Cesium-137 radioactive substance contamination in the Cikande Industrial Estate, Banten. Lin Jingzhang faces a potential sentence of 3 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of IDR 8 billion.
“Bareskrim Polri has also requested a travel ban for the individual concerned from the Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs. Following this request, the Directorate General of Immigration has indeed banned the individual from traveling abroad,” explained Bara Krishna Hasibuan, Head of Diplomacy and Communication for the Task Force for Handling Cs-137 Radionuclide Radiation Hazard Vulnerability and Affected Communities, during the same media briefing on Thursday (4/12). Bara also indicated that the Tipidter Directorate of Bareskrim Polri is continuing its investigation to identify other parties who may be involved.
Furthermore, Bara revealed that preliminary findings suggest the Cesium-137 contamination at PT PMT in Cikande originated from domestic sources. The contamination occurred through the purchase of scrap metal, which contained discarded industrial equipment contaminated with Cesium-137, acquired through both legal and illegal channels. This scrap material had not undergone proper storage, supervision, or disposal processes, failing to comply with existing regulations. The use of such equipment in domestic industries should, by law, adhere to strict provisions and requirements issued by the government through Bapeten.
Summary
The Indonesian government is mandating the installation of Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) across the metal processing and smelting industries. This crucial measure aims to prevent Cesium-137 contamination incidents, safeguarding public health and environmental integrity. RPMs are fixed devices designed to detect gamma and neutron radiation in vehicles, particularly container trucks, as they pass through monitoring gates. This obligation, overseen by the Ministry of Industry, targets industries utilizing scrap metal.
This stringent regulation was developed following a recent Cesium-137 contamination incident traced to PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT), a stainless steel smelting plant. The contamination originated from scrap metal containing discarded industrial equipment with Cesium-137, acquired without proper storage or disposal. Consequently, Lin Jingzhang, Director of PT PMT, has been named a suspect by the National Police and faces potential imprisonment and a fine. In addition to RPMs, smelting industries will also be required to rigorously check their finished products for Cesium.
