Companies operating in Cikande’s industrial zone must fund the cleanup of Cesium-137 contamination under Indonesia’s strict environmental laws, the Environment Ministry said Friday.

Inspector General Rizal Irawan, deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement at the Environment Ministry, said the measure follows the “polluter pays” principle as mandated by the 2009 Environmental Protection Law.

“Whoever causes pollution is responsible. There is strict liability under the law,” Irawan told reporters during a site visit.

He clarified that firms must handle decontamination efforts within their premises and cover all related costs, including materials and equipment.

Government teams will provide technical support in the field, but financial responsibility remains with the companies.

“This is not a donation. It’s an obligation,” Irawan said.

Authorities have identified PT PMT as the primary source of the radioactive contamination, while other firms, including PT Jongka Indonesia, were deemed victims of the spread.

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Responding to speculation about imported materials being the source, Irawan said early findings point to locally sourced metal as the likely origin.

Beyond industrial sites, the ministry is coordinating with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to assess surrounding areas.

Officials are mapping out red and yellow contamination zones, which are based on exposure levels rather than distance.

“Each zone receives different treatment,” Irawan said, noting that 22 families living in red zones have agreed to relocate for safety.

So far, three contaminated areas have been identified, with ongoing efforts to monitor radiation levels and mitigate risks to the public.

Irawan emphasized the state will bear costs for protecting residents, but companies must fully cover cleanup efforts within industrial areas.

“The principle is simple: if you pollute, you clean it up. We will ensure compliance with environmental law without burdening state finances,” he said.

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