Indonesia To Begin Construction Of Long-delayed US$80 Bln Giant Sea Wall

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, June 12 (Bernama) -- Indonesia is set to begin construction of the long-delayed US$80 billion Giant Sea Wall along the northern coast of Java Island, a massive infrastructure project aimed at protecting coastal communities from rising sea levels and tidal flooding, President Prabowo Subianto said.

Speaking at the International Conference of Infrastructure 2025 on Thursday, he said the project, first proposed in 1995 and delayed for decades, is now moving ahead with renewed urgency.

The project will span about 500 kilometres from Banten in the west to Gresik in East Java.

“The first priority is Jakarta Bay, where construction is estimated to cost between US$8 billion and US$10 billion.

“This will be followed by works in Semarang, Pekalongan, and Brebes areas that are highly vulnerable to tidal flooding,” he said.

According to Prabowo, the initial phase will be co-funded by the central government and the Jakarta provincial government, each contributing 50 per cent, by allocating about US$1 billion per year over the next eight years to fund the initial construction.

While open to international collaboration, including with China, Japan, South Korea, Europe and the Middle East, the government will prioritise the use of domestic expertise and resources.

A special task force will be formed to promote the project, and a new governing body will be established to oversee its implementation.

“The Giant Sea Wall is not just a physical barrier, but a strategic measure to protect lives and livelihoods in coastal areas.

“We cannot afford further delays. This project must begin now, regardless of who finishes it,” Prabowo added.

The sea wall is part of a broader long-term strategy to address tidal flooding and land subsidence along Java Island’s northern coast – issues that officials warn are driving serious economic losses.

Last year, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said annual flooding in coastal Jakarta already causes direct economic losses of around 2.1 trillion rupiah (about US$130 million) – a figure that could rise to 10 trillion rupiah annually within the next decade without intervention.

-- BERNAMA