“All needs will be met through coordination with the Ministry of Environment. An assessment is ongoing to determine how many residents are affected and what support is required,” Yusuf said.
The Ministry of Environment is leading efforts to manage the incident and oversee decontamination. Yusuf emphasized the government's top priority is to ensure the safety and protection of people living near the contaminated zone.
The Social Affairs Ministry will support recovery efforts based on its mandate for social protection and welfare, Yusuf added.
“We have joined coordination meetings and will continue to assist where needed. The key is to keep residents safe,” he said.
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One measure being prepared is the potential relocation of residents if the assessment determines that long-term safety requires it.
“If relocation is needed, we will work with the Serang District Head. The district can provide land, and we can support housing and other basic needs,” Yusuf said.
Authorities said decontamination of affected sites is expected to be completed by December 2025. The Cesium-137 task force has begun cleanup operations at 10 identified points within the industrial area.
Officials said cleanup efforts are being conducted with care to ensure that surrounding environmental conditions remain safe and controlled.
The contamination was traced back to negligence by PT Peter Metal Technology.
Nine workers were exposed to Cesium-137, according to the Health Ministry, but they are receiving medical care and are being monitored while recovering at home.
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Translator: Desi, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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