Zulhas: Government Closes Sources Of Cesium Pollution Near Cikande Shrimp Factory
Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the government had closed the source of the alleged Cesium-137 (Cs-137) pollution found near a shrimp factory in Cikande, Banten.
For your information, exports of frozen shrimp from Cikande, Banten, are suspected of being polluted by Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and led to the policy of recalling a number of containers by the United States.
"We have met to localize and close the source of the alleged pollution. Data has been collected, information regarding the Cs-137 source in the Cikande industrial area. Mainly, PT PNT has been localized," he said at a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, Friday, September 12.
Zulhas, as he is familiarly called, said that apart from closing, the government would immediately decontaminate the affected area.
"Soon, decontamination will be carried out," he said.
He also said the government had carried out health checks on potentially affected communities. This examination is handled directly by the Ministry of Health.
"It's been almost a week since the Ministry of Health has carried out continuous examinations of the potential for affected communities," he said.
Zulhas said the shrimp industry is a national pride asset that absorbs hundreds of thousands of workers and contributes greatly to the country's foreign exchange.
"Of course the government is very committed to protecting fishermen, workers and business actors against the impact of this issue," he explained.
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Therefore, he said the government had also formed a Task Force (Satgas) as a form of full attention to the issue of alleged Cs-137 pollution in exports of frozen shrimp from Cikande, Banten.
Zulhas said the Task Force aims to carry out investigations, diplomacy to restore international market confidence.
I make sure the government moves quickly, carefully, and according to international standards. Food safety remains a top priority. We are here to protect fishermen, workers and business actors from the impact of this issue," he said.