Short answer. Indonesia has no nuclear power plant, only research reactors. Government Regulation PP 54/2012 lists giving iodine tablets among nuclear emergency actions 1, and BAPETEN Regulation 1/2010 requires operators of higher-hazard nuclear installations to keep iodine tablets for members of the public on the site 2. There is no public distribution. No thyroid-blocking potassium iodide or iodate tablet is registered with BPOM 3.
What does the law say?
Article 78(2)(c) of PP 54/2012 on the safety and security of nuclear installations lists, among nuclear emergency response activities, "tindakan pemberian tempat berlindung sementara, evakuasi, dan/atau pemberian tablet yodium" (temporary sheltering, evacuation and/or giving iodine tablets) 1.
BAPETEN Regulation 1/2010 on nuclear emergency preparedness and response is more specific 2:
- Article 19: licensees with installations in radiological hazard category I or II must have protective equipment and "persediaan tablet yodium (thyroid agent blocking) untuk anggota masyarakat di dalam tapak": a stock of iodine tablets for members of the public on the site.
- Article 25(d): accident response procedures must cover temporary sheltering, evacuation and giving iodine tablets.
- Article 38(2): urgent protective actions include evacuation, temporary sheltering and providing iodine tablets.
Both texts are published on BAPETEN's official legal database, which lists them as in force 12. In April 2026, BAPETEN reported that a new regulation on nuclear preparedness and emergency response was being harmonised before enactment 4. It may replace the 2010 regulation.
Are iodine tablets distributed to the public?
No. The obligation is on the operator, for people on the site of the installation 2. No plan to distribute tablets to households, and no planning zone for iodine around Indonesia's research reactors, was found.
Can I buy potassium iodide in an Indonesian pharmacy?
Not as a thyroid-blocking medicine. A search of BPOM's register of medicines on 2026-10-21 found potassium iodide only in eye drops (CATARLENT, OPTALENT, VITROLENTA) and in multivitamin tablets, and no potassium iodate product 3. No tablet at thyroid-blocking strength (65 mg or 130 mg) is registered 3. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own situation, and contact the nuclear regulator BAPETEN (https://www.bapeten.go.id/) for nuclear safety questions.
When should iodine be taken?
Only on instruction from the authorities, and only against radioactive iodine. It does not protect against other radioactive substances. The general rules, doses by age and risks are in our guide Potassium iodide (KI): when to take it and who needs it, with its own sources. On sheltering, see /guides/shelter-or-evacuate and /guides/fallout-7-10-rule.
Frequently asked questions
Does Indonesia have nuclear power plants?
No. Indonesia has research reactors only.
Who holds iodine tablets in Indonesia?
Operators of nuclear installations in radiological hazard category I or II, for members of the public on their site 2.
Should I keep iodine tablets at home in Indonesia?
No official Indonesian recommendation to do so was found, and no thyroid-blocking tablet is registered with BPOM 3. Do not take iodine without an instruction from the authorities.
Is the 2012 regulation still in force?
Yes, BAPETEN's legal database lists PP 54/2012 as in force 1.
Who regulates nuclear safety in Indonesia?
BAPETEN, the nuclear regulator.
Sources
- Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir (BAPETEN), JDIH — Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 54 Tahun 2012 tentang Keselamatan dan Keamanan Instalasi Nuklir, Pasal 78 — https://jdih.bapeten.go.id/unggah/dokumen/peraturan/191-full.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir (BAPETEN), JDIH — Peraturan Kepala BAPETEN Nomor 1 Tahun 2010 tentang Kesiapsiagaan dan Penanggulangan Kedaruratan Nuklir, Pasal 19, 25 and 38 — https://jdih.bapeten.go.id/unggah/dokumen/peraturan/67-full.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM) — Cek Produk BPOM: Obat, ingredient searches for potassium iodide and potassium iodate — https://cekbpom.pom.go.id/produk-obat (accessed 2026-10-21)
- JDIH BAPETEN — Lindungi Warga Negara Terdampak, Peraturan Kesiapsiagaan Nuklir dan Penanggulangan Kedaruratan Nuklir Segera untuk Diundangkan (15 April 2026) — https://jdih.bapeten.go.id/id/berita/lindungi-warga-negara-terdampak-peraturan-kesiapsiagaan-nuklir-dan-penanggulangan-kedaruratan-nuklir-segera-untuk-diundangkan (accessed 2026-10-21)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Indonesia, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir (BAPETEN), JDIH · Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 54 Tahun 2012 tentang Keselamatan dan Keamanan Instalasi Nuklir (full text), Pasal 78 checked 2026-10-21
- Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir (BAPETEN), JDIH · Peraturan Kepala BAPETEN Nomor 1 Tahun 2010 tentang Kesiapsiagaan dan Penanggulangan Kedaruratan Nuklir, Pasal 19, 25 and 38 checked 2026-10-21
- Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM) · Cek Produk BPOM: Obat (registered medicines), ingredient searches for potassium iodide and potassium iodate checked 2026-10-21
- JDIH BAPETEN · Lindungi Warga Negara Terdampak, Peraturan Kesiapsiagaan Nuklir dan Penanggulangan Kedaruratan Nuklir Segera untuk Diundangkan (15 April 2026) checked 2026-10-21