AHY Accelerates Plans for Indonesia’s Giant Sea Wall Project

JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono emphasized the urgency of constructing a giant sea wall along the northern coast of Java to prevent coastal flooding.

AHY stated that his ministry is currently refining the project plans in collaboration with technical stakeholders.

"This requires long-term planning. We need a thorough feasibility study while estimating the necessary budget. This is a massive project with substantial funding requirements, necessitating collaboration between the government and private sector entities," Agus said in Bekasi, West Java, on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

Foreign Investors Express Interest

AHY revealed that several foreign investors have shown interest in participating in the mega project initiated under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

"Some international investors have expressed interest. However, we are still evaluating the investment structure, as funding must come from both domestic and foreign sources to ensure smooth and sustainable development," he added.

Earlier, President Prabowo assigned Agus to expedite the construction of the sea wall, stretching from Banten to Gresik in East Java, during his speech at the closing ceremony of the Democratic Party’s Sixth Congress in Jakarta on February 25, 2025.

"AHY, I am giving you a significant task—one of the most crucial infrastructure projects: the giant sea wall," Prabowo said at the event.

Government Ready to Fund Initial Construction

Prabowo stressed that the sea wall is vital to protecting northern Java from worsening coastal erosion and flooding.

"The giant sea wall must span from Banten to Gresik, covering several hundred kilometers," Prabowo said.

He expressed confidence that the project would be realized, with the government preparing the necessary funds.

"I don’t know how many years it will take, but with strong determination, we will see it through. We will start with our own resources. No doubt—we have the funds. We will begin as soon as possible," Prabowo asserted.

Japan’s Participation in the Project

Minister of Investment and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Roeslani previously disclosed that President Prabowo had invited Japanese companies to participate in the project.

"The President has encouraged Japanese firms to take part in constructing the sea wall, which will span over 600 kilometers, including a 40-kilometer section north of Jakarta," Rosan said.

The discussion on constructing a giant sea wall has resurfaced since January 2024 when Prabowo was still serving as Minister of Defense. At that time, he proposed reviving the long-abandoned plan, originally introduced more than a decade ago.

The project is critical as northern Java faces severe threats of submersion due to coastal erosion. Prabowo noted that a sea wall of this scale could take up to 40 years to complete, based on the Netherlands’ experience with similar infrastructure. The estimated cost of the project stands at $60 billion, or approximately Rp 941.7 trillion, based on an exchange rate of Rp 15,700 per US dollar.