October 22, 2025 | 12:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) stated that the government is still exploring funding sources for the Giant Sea Wall project. He said the project is urgent to save the lives of millions of residents living in the northern coastal areas of Java or Pantura.
"The Giant Sea Wall project is very large and requires substantial financing. We are open to cooperation with one or more countries, and this exploration process is ongoing," said AHY during a press conference at his office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
The Chair of the Democratic Party stated that the subsidence of land in the northern coastal areas of Java currently reaches 1 to 1.5 centimeters per year. If left unaddressed, this condition could threaten the lives of around 50 million inhabitants residing along the northern coast of Java.
"If we do nothing, there could be a subsidence of 10 to 15 centimeters per year, as has already occurred in North Jakarta," he said.
He explained that the construction of the sea wall aims not only to protect the community from tidal floods and land subsidence but also to safeguard strategic economic centers in the coastal areas. Pantura has been the main logistics route and an industrial area supporting the national economic activities.
Previously, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the Giant Sea Wall project will be implemented soon after being delayed for decades. The construction of the sea wall has been included in the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) plan since 1995, and now it is time for it to be implemented. "There will be no more delays. We will start working on it soon," said Prabowo at the International Conference on Infrastructure (ICI) 2025 in Jakarta, last June 12.
Prabowo explained that the Giant Sea Wall will be built stretching from the northern coast of Banten to Gresik, East Java, with a length of about 500 kilometers. The project is estimated to require funding of up to US$80 billion and a construction period of 8 to 10 years for the Jakarta area alone, and 15 to 20 years for the entire Pantura.
"It's okay if it takes a long time. As the ancient saying goes, a journey of a thousand kilometers begins with a single step," said Prabowo.
For the project implementation, the government has already established the North Coast Sea Wall Authority of Java, which will be responsible for coordinating the construction and funding. The initial phase of the project will focus on the most vulnerable areas to tidal floods such as Jakarta, Semarang, Pekalongan, and Brebes.
President Prabowo also opened the opportunity for foreign investment from several countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, and partners from Europe and the Middle East. However, he emphasized that the Indonesian government will not wait for investors to start this project. "Those who want to participate are welcome, but we will not wait. If necessary, we will use our own strength," he said.
Riri Rahayuningsih contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor's Choice: Prabowo Highlights Jakarta Giant Sea Wall Project in UN General Assembly Speech
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