inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The government is targeting completion of the decontamination procedure due to radioactive Cesium-137 exposure in Cikande District, Serang Regency, Banten, within two weeks.
The Deputy for Pollution and Environmental Damage Control (PPKL) at the Ministry of Environment, Rasio Ridho Sani, stated that these swift measures were taken to ensure the safety and health of the affected community.
"We are taking these steps to ensure the health and safety of the community. This demonstrates the government's commitment to working quickly and maintaining public safety," said Rasio on Wednesday (10/22/2025).
He explained that the government has begun the temporary relocation process for 19 families, or 64 people, living in the red zone for Cesium-137 exposure.
Before relocation, each resident underwent radiation exposure screening, decontamination of personal items, and a health check and blood sampling at the Cikande Community Health Center.
"Today's process begins with health checks, screening people as they leave their homes, including checking the belongings they carry," said Rasio.
On that occasion, Rasio also used a persuasive approach to encourage residents to agree to the relocation for everyone's safety.
"We are collaborating with the Serang Regency Government, the Health Office, the Social Services Office, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), as well as elements of the Indonesian National Military (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (INP) These steps are to reassure the public that what we are doing is for their health," he concluded.
In addition to providing a direct explanation, Rasio also distributed basic food aid to affected residents as a demonstration of the government's concern for their socio-economic situation during the decontamination process.
To date, the government has recorded that 20 of the 22 industries in the Cikande area that were detected with Cesium-137 contamination have been declared clean and clear, while two others are still in the decontamination stage.
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