The northern coast of Java is sinking at an alarming rate, and the consequences are already visible as several areas face severe flooding. To safeguard these vulnerable regions from the looming threat of tidal surges, the construction of a giant sea wall stretching from Jakarta to Gresik has become a top priority for Indonesia’s future government.
In response to President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious plan to build this massive barrier, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has voiced its readiness to make it a reality. The giant sea wall is seen as an essential defense against further land subsidence and flooding in North Java.
Basuki Hadimuljono, the Minister of PUPR, revealed that the ministry has already conducted significant research on this project. The groundwork for the giant sea wall is rooted in the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) project, which the ministry has been involved with for years.
“We’ve already been working on NCICD, so when it comes to the giant sea wall, our priority will be North Jakarta,” Basuki explained during an interview at the Parliament complex on Monday (9/9/2024).
While the project enjoys widespread support, Basuki noted the substantial financial burden it will carry. A study conducted by the PUPR, in collaboration with South Korea and the Netherlands, estimated that building a sea wall just between Bekasi and Jakarta alone would cost Rp90 trillion.
“Our design has been developed alongside South Korea and the Netherlands. For the segment from Bekasi to Tangerang, the cost is around Rp90 trillion,” he elaborated.
The project’s significance stems from its ability to prevent further sinking of land in areas like Jakarta, where the ground is rapidly descending below sea level. Prabowo Subianto, who has been a vocal advocate of the project, first reintroduced the idea of constructing the sea wall along the northern coast of Java at the beginning of last year. He stressed that this project should not become entangled in short-term political conflicts, especially given its long-term importance.
Prabowo also highlighted the scale and duration of the project, warning that it could take up to 40 years to complete. “Politicians tend to think in terms of five-year cycles due to the electoral process. However, this sea wall project requires thinking that extends beyond short-term political goals,” Prabowo remarked during the National Seminar on Java’s Protection Strategies at the Kempinski Hotel on Wednesday (11/1/2024).
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The giant sea wall is seen as vital for protecting North Java, an area home to five economic growth centers, 70 industrial zones, five special economic zones (KEK), and five central economic regions. Without intervention, these key areas remain at risk from severe tidal floods.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto further broke down the project’s financial needs, explaining that the sea wall will be constructed in three phases. The first two phases alone will cost an estimated Rp164.1 trillion. However, the budget for the third and final phase is still undetermined. “The total budget of Rp164.1 trillion covers just the dam along the northern coast of Jakarta. Many other related projects will develop as a result of this,” Airlangga stated during the seminar on Java’s coastal protection at the Grand Ballroom of Kempinski, Wednesday (10/1/2024).
This massive project is not only seen as a defense measure but also a necessary step in protecting vital economic areas from the risks associated with land subsidence and rising sea levels. As Prabowo Subianto takes office, the realization of the giant sea wall could become one of Indonesia’s most critical infrastructure projects for the future.
