IAW: Government Fails To Monitor Imports Of Nuclear Risky Metals

The Minister of Environment has sealed PT Peter Metal Technology Indonesia (PT PMT) at the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate (ANTARA)

JAKARTA The threat of nuclear waste is now a serious test for the government of President Prabowo Subianto. Indonesia is required to be able to monitor the circulation of radioactive waste and dare to take firm action against parties who are negligent in its management.

The Secretary of the Founder of Indonesian Audit Watch (IAW), Iskandar Sitorus, highlighted that the Cikande area, which was previously crowded as the center of the metal smelting industry, has now turned into a "danger zone" after the discovery of high radiation exposure.

The Minister of Environment has sealed PT Peter Metal Technology Indonesia (PT PMT) at the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate, the highest metal smelting plant with radiation levels.

Iskandar emphasized that the discovery of the Cesium-137 radioactive isotope with a half-30 years is not just a technical incident, but evidence of negligence in the waste control system and imports of used metals.

"How is it possible that nuclear waste can enter Indonesia, circulate in junk stalls, then nominate the export food production chain if the supervision is really tight?" Iskandar said in his statement.

IAW discovered weak integration of ship data, factories, and exporters. In fact, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) through the 2016 and 2018 Audit Results Reports (LHP) has given a strong warning about the potential danger of importing metal scraps.

"We recommend database integration, internal quality audits before export, and risk-based inspection priorities. The government must also add supervisory personnel and impose strict sanctions on violators," said Iskandar.

IAW emphasized that PT PMT as a metal screen importer is obliged to ensure that the material is free of radiation before it is sent. This is in accordance with Permen LHK No. P.10/2020. If proven negligent or intentionally violating, the corporation and its management must be charged with environmental crimes.

According to IAW, responsibility does not only stop at corporations. Customs and Excise officials as well as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) who give permission without verification must also be examined. How is it possible that metal sheet containers can enter without radiation-free certificates?' said Iskandar.

For IAW, strict legal sanctions must be imposed. Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management and Law Number 10 of 1997 concerning Nuclear Power must be carried out consistently.

"Criminal investigations should not only stop at PT PMT, but also for permitting officials and negligent parties. Audit the last five years of metal stamp import documents, confiscate licensing documents and inspection records, and identify suspects. Apply Article 104 of the Environmental Law," he said.

Iskandar assessed that the PT PMT case reflected the state's failure to carry out surveillance. BPK's previous findings were ignored so that the-137 Cesium metal sheet could pass to Indonesia, potentially contaminating food and environmental chains.

"If the government does not dare to take firm action against all parties, from companies, officials to supervisors, the public is natural to worry that the Cikande case is only the beginning of another nuclear waste time bomb that can spread without supervision," said Iskandar.

The Cikande case stems from the discovery of high radiation around the PT PMT factory area. The results of the investigation revealed the presence of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope commonly used in the medical and nuclear energy industry.

This substance is very dangerous because it has a half-30 years, meaning it takes decades for its radioactivity levels to decline naturally. Exposure to Cesium-137 can damage body cells, trigger cancer, and contaminate soil and food chains.

This fact strengthens the urgency of strict supervision of metal spur imports, so that similar cases do not happen again in the future.