A CRITICAL REVIEW OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN INDONESIA: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES BASED ON ACTUAL INCIDENTS

Abstract

The utilization of radioactive sources in various sectors, including medicine and industry, offers significant benefits to public welfare but also poses serious risks if not managed securely. This review article highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of radioactive substances security, which is conceptually distinct from radiation safety. The purpose of this review is to critically analyze the change of Indonesia's regulatory framework for radioactive substances security, evaluate the implementation challenges, and formulate policy recommendations based on domestic and international case studies. The methodology employed is a systematic literature review and comparative case study analysis of scientific literature, recent regulations, and incident reports from credible institutions such as the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency of Indonesia (BAPETEN) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The analysis aims to identify trends, gaps, and causal relationships between policy and practices. It had been found that regulatory framework in Indonesia, particularly through Government Regulation (GR) No. 45 Year 2023 and BAPETEN Regulation (BR) No. 5 Year 2024, has evolved to specifically address security threats. However, implementation faces significant challenges such as insufficient number of human resources and large geographic area. Case studies of the Goiânia incident and the Serpong incident demonstrate that failures in security management can have fatal and widespread consequences. It is concluded that strengthening radioactive substances security management in Indonesia requires not only a robust regulatory framework but also strategic investment in technological innovation, enhancement of qualification and competency personnel, and the establishment of a solid security culture.