The inspection activities were led directly by the Acting Chairman of BAPETEN/Deputy Chairman for Licensing and Inspection, Zainal Arifin, as the Head of the Inspector Team. The inspection team also included the Director of Inspection of Radiation Facilities and Radioactive Materials, Zulkarnain, as well as Junior Inspectors Lukas Wisnu Wicaksono and Henda Yunihartanto as team members.

In its implementation, the inspector team conducted examinations of licensing documents, direct observations of facilities and equipment, as well as interviews with radiation safety officers and management representatives at each institution. This activity aimed to ensure that all safety requirements had been fulfilled and to identify any potential non conformities that require to follow up actions.

Zainal stated that this inspection is part of ongoing regulatory oversight to protect workers, the public, and the environment from potential radiation hazards. “BAPETEN is committed to continuously providing guidance and supervision to ensure that the utilization of nuclear energy in Indonesia delivers optimal benefits while prioritizing safety,” said Zainal.

As part of the inspection, the BAPETEN Inspector Team also paid particular attention to the use of the radioactive materials Cesium-137 (Cs-137) at PT Freeport Indonesia, especially for industrial activities. This oversight is considered crucial as a measure to strengthen control and security of radioactive sources, in line with lessons learned from the Cs-137 exposure case that occurred in Cikande, Banten, some time ago.

The Cikande case serves as an important reminder to all license holders of the serious risks that may arise if radioactive sources are not managed in accordance with safety and security principles. Therefore, through this inspection, BAPETEN ensured that the utilization of Cs-137 at PT Freeport Indonesia complies with licensing requirements, implementation of radioactive source security systems, inventory control, and preparedness to respond to emergency conditions.

The Inspector Team also emphasized the responsibility of license holders to safeguard radioactive sources from loss, misuse, or exposure to unauthorized parties. Strengthening safety culture, improving personnel competence, and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures are aspects that BAPETEN continues to promote in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Through this inspection activity, BAPETEN expects all users of radiation sources and radioactive substances to continuously enhance regulatory compliance, strengthen safety culture, and ensure the safe, secure, and responsible use of nuclear energy. [DIFRZR/HY/BHKK/GP/HRUF]