Tighten Imports, Government Finds 14 Containers From The Philippines Exposed To Cs-137

JAKARTA - Minister of Coordination for Food Zulkifli Hasan said the government would tighten import regulations. This step was taken to prevent the recurrence of cases of suspected Cesium 137 (Cs-137) pollution in frozen shrimp exports.

"We will see our regulations, we will tighten it, especially for items that contain waste. Especially since the screen (extorted metal recycle) has been tightened," he said at a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs Office, Jakarta, Friday, September 12.

Zulhas, as he is familiarly called, said that in this initial investigation, 14 containers containing metal powder or metal sheet from the Philippines were found at Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta. Of these, nine of them were detected containing Cs-137

"Indonesia is actually a victim. The victim because at the same time our government found that there were 14 containers in Priok Port from the Philippines, Cs-137 was detected. Well, this is what we will send back soon," he said.

Zulhas revealed that the import of the metal screen did not have a permit from the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag). When asked whether the import was illegal, Zulhas only emphasized the same thing.

"There is no permit, yes. So the Ministry of Trade reported no permit," he said.

For your information, the finding of Cs-137 in this container from the Philippines is a concern. Moreover, the radioactive substance was previously detected polluting Indonesian frozen shrimp products exported to the United States (US).

Zulhas said the government paid full attention to the issue of alleged Cesium-137 (Cs-137) pollution in exports of frozen shrimp from Cikande, Banten.

Furthermore, Zulhas said this is because 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.

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.