Concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in the marine gastropod, Telescopium telescopium, were determined to provide background information on heavy metal levels in the Straits of Malacca in the Indonesian side. Samples of T. telescopium were collected from intertidal Dumai coastal waters at four stations in July 2004. The results of the present study showed that metal concentrations in the soft tissue of T. telescopium varied at different sampling stations: 0.33 - 0.69 µg/g; 9.38 - 52.29 µg/g; 1.73 - 10.78 µg/g; 14.69 - 69.87 µg/g dry weight for cadmium, copper, lead and zinc, respectively. Samples from Sungai Dumai station accumulated more heavy metals when compared to other stations. Smaller T. telescopium accumulate more metals than larger ones. Negative correlations between metal concentrations and size (length and weight) were observed (except Cd and Cu in samples from Sungai Mesjid) with some variation in the correlation coefficients which indicated metal regulation by the T. telescopium. Sungai Dumai showed the highest Metal Pollution Index (MPI) of 12.57 and Tomlinson Pollution Load Index (PLI) of 34.35 with Lubuk Gaung showing the lowest with 3.26 and 8.89, respectively. In general, the MPI and PLI values indicate that metal pollution in Dumai coastal waters is not a serious threat yet and no drastic rectification measures are needed. However, as one of the most developing regions in Sumatera, further studies are necessary to assess temporal variation in metal accumulation and concentration for this species and other possible indicator organisms as well as in sediment from the surrounding areas in order to gain a better understanding of pollution status in Dumai coastal waters.