TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto assigned Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) to construct a Giant Sea Wall from Banten to Gresik.

According to Prabowo, the construction of the sea wall is aimed at saving the northern coast of Java from the threat of submergence.

"The Giant Sea Wall that will save the northern coast of Java. The Giant sea wall must be built from Banten to Gresik, hundreds of kilometers," said Prabowo during the closing speech at the Sixth Congress of the Democratic Party, held at the Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, Jakarta, on Tuesday, January 25, 2025.

Prabowo is optimistic about the project. However, he cannot predict how long it will take to build it. "The Giant Sea Wall must be built from Banten to Gresik, hundreds of kilometers, can we do it? We can. I don't know how many years, God willing, with our determination, we will be able to," said Prabowo.

The Head of State said that the project will be initiated soon. The budget for the project is already allocated. "We will decide to start with our own strength, not potential anymore, we clearly have it, the money is ready. We will start as soon as possible," said Prabowo.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung previously stated that the Jakarta government and President Prabowo Subianto's government will collaborate on the giant sea wall or Giant Sea Wall project as a long-term flood solution.

"The collaboration between the central government and the Jakarta government must continue. Because there (Giant Sea Wall), the source of fresh water can be utilized later, and also so that the surface of the water does not keep decreasing. Currently, it keeps decreasing," said Pramono after the celebration of the Jakarta gubernatorial election victory at Jimbaran Resto, Ancol, on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto previously mentioned that the giant sea wall or Giant Sea Wall is built with the goal of addressing the threat of tidal flooding and land subsidence in the northern Java region.

Airlangga stated that the northern coast of Java is observed to experience varying land subsidence of about 1 to 25 centimeters per year. In addition, other challenges include a rise in sea levels by 1 to 15 centimeters per year in several areas, as well as tidal flooding incidents.

Coordinator Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, also known as AHY, stated that the Giant Sea Wall project requires a large budget. However, the government will still strive to ensure the project proceeds.

However, due to the government's other priority programs, AHY is still awaiting instruction from President Prabowo Subianto. At the same time, the government will seek investors because the government alone cannot finance this large project.

"There are budget limitations here and there. We have to seek credible funding sources," said AHY at his office on January 8, 2025. "We are involving or aiming to strengthen the collaboration scheme between the government and businesses. Investment must be present, from both domestic and foreign sources."

Riri Rahayu contributed to the writing of this article.

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