Allah has reminded humans not to cause corruption on earth. Indeed, Allah does not like those who cause corruption. This is stated in the Quran, Surah Al-Qasas verse 77.

Allah also emphasizes in the Quran, Surah Ar-Rum verse 41, that corruption has appeared on land and sea as a result of what human hands have earned.

Referring to these Quranic verses, when events occur that endanger human life related to the universe, whether on land, sea, or air, the ones most responsible are the humans who manage it.

As happened in Cikande, Serang Regency, where the government through the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs designated the area as having a special event status due to exposure to Cesium-137 radionuclide radiation. The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs stated in a coordination meeting that the special event status for Cesium-137 radiation only exists in Cikande and nowhere else. However, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) again found several new points contaminated with radioactive substances in Serang Regency, Banten, which were initially only detected around the Modern Cikande Industrial Area.

The discovery of Cesium-137 did not happen by chance, but it began when the United States rejected imports of frozen shrimp from Indonesia processed by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS) Foods. US Customs and Border Protection notified the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that Cesium-137 was detected in the containers of frozen shrimp that docked in Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami.

What is Cesium-137?

Cesium (Cs) is a soft metal. It is flexible, silvery-white in color, and can easily melt near room temperature. Cesium is a byproduct of the nuclear fission process in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons testing. In the industrial world, the most commonly known radioactive form of Cesium is Cesium-137. When the amount of Cesium is relatively small, it can be used for medical equipment and industrial measuring devices. However, in very large quantities, it can endanger living beings around it. Therefore, Cesium-137 must be tightly sealed in tubes.

An example of the consequences of Cesium-137 is when the Chernobyl power plant exploded in the Soviet Union in 1986. In that accident, Cs-137 spread to many countries in Europe. Even Northern Ukraine once became a dead city, uninhabited as its residents abandoned it since then. As known, Cesium-137 moves easily in the air, dissolves in water, and if humans are exposed, it easily settles in the soft tissues of the human body. Its spread is very rapid. It can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, cancer, and ultimately death.

Currently, it turns out that Cesium-137 is not only found in environments related to nuclear weapons or nuclear power plants. However, piles of scrap metal in industrial areas also have the potential to trigger Cesium-137 radioactive waste. This is proven by the discovery of the substance at used iron scrap yards.

A big question arises: where does Cesium-137 come from? It is suspected to come from imported waste or remnants of foreign industry that entered Indonesia undetected. If this is proven, it further emphasizes that radioactive threats are not only caused by major nuclear accidents but can also arise from poorly managed industrial activities.

What efforts has the government made after discovering Cesium-137 in the Cikande industrial area?

More than 1,500 people around the Cikande industrial area have been examined using the whole-body counter measurement method. After examination, it was found that several individuals were exposed to Cesium-137 in their bodies. The government will also take legal steps against the factory and area management if they are proven responsible for the spread of the radioactive material Cesium-137.

It is truly disheartening. When a problem surfaces, only then does the government become busy addressing it. Even though such problems are never completely resolved. There is a saying: prevention is better than cure. However, this does not apply in a government with a capitalist democratic system. What exists is only seeking maximum profit with minimal capital.

In the case of frozen shrimp exports, for example, the abundant supply of shrimp should first be given to the people themselves to meet their needs for animal protein. Instead of doing that, the shrimp are exported abroad. Even though they are eventually returned because they are proven to be contaminated with the radioactive material Cesium-137.

Regarding the issue of foreign

Quran

The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel over a period of approximately 23 years. It was revealed in the 7th century CE in the cities of Mecca and Medina, and its teachings form the foundation of Islamic faith, law, and civilization.

Surah Al-Qasas

“Surah Al-Qasas” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a chapter (surah) in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. Its name translates to “The Stories” and it primarily narrates the story of the Prophet Moses, including his early life, his flight from Egypt, and his eventual prophethood. Revealed in Mecca, this chapter aims to provide consolation and lessons for the early Muslim community, emphasizing God’s protection and the ultimate victory of faith.

Surah Ar-Rum

“Surah Ar-Rum” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a chapter (surah) in the Islamic holy book, the Quran. It is named after the Byzantines (Ar-Rum in Arabic) and is historically significant for its prophecy about their victory over the Sassanid Empire, which occurred a few years after the prophecy was revealed. The surah also discusses themes of the natural world as signs of God and the certainty of the afterlife.

Cikande

Cikande is an industrial district located in Banten Province, Indonesia, primarily known for the Cikande Industrial Estate. While the area itself is a modern hub for manufacturing and factories, its name is derived from the local Cikande River. It does not have a significant ancient history as a cultural site, but represents Indonesia’s contemporary economic development.

Serang Regency

Serang Regency is a region in Banten province on the island of Java, Indonesia, which holds significant historical importance. It was once the center of the Banten Sultanate, a powerful and influential Islamic kingdom that was a major trading hub from the 16th to the 19th century. Today, the regency is known for its agricultural production and contains historical remnants, including the Old Banten (Banten Lama) archaeological site with its iconic Grand Mosque.

Modern Cikande Industrial Area

The Modern Cikande Industrial Area is a major industrial estate located in Banten, Indonesia, developed to support the country’s manufacturing and export sectors. Established to attract both foreign and domestic investment, it has grown into a key hub for various industries, including automotive and electronics, since its inception in the late 20th century.

Chernobyl power plant

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, located in northern Ukraine, was the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster on April 26, 1986, when a safety test caused a catastrophic explosion in Reactor 4. The resulting release of radioactive material led to the creation of an exclusion zone and had profound health and environmental consequences. The plant was permanently decommissioned, and the site is now known for the ongoing containment efforts, including the New Safe Confinement structure installed over the ruined reactor.

Northern Ukraine

Northern Ukraine is a historic region encompassing cities like Chernihiv and Sumy, known for its deep Slavic roots and key role in the formation of Kyivan Rus’. The area is marked by its Orthodox Christian heritage, with numerous ancient cathedrals and monasteries, and was profoundly affected by events like the Chornobyl disaster in 1986. Its landscape features vast forests, rivers, and a distinct cultural identity shaped by both its early medieval history and its complex modern past.