Gov’t to Build North Java Seawall: Protecting Residents, Creating New Economic Hubs

Ministers hold a press conference after a meeting discussing various strategic issues in infrastructure and regional development on the North Coast of Java, Tuesday (05/12). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto received several Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet on Tuesday (05/12) at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. The meeting discussed various strategic issues in infrastructure and regional development, including the development and protection of the North Coast of Java.

“The Government is aware that the current conditions face challenges, from land subsidence, lowering of the ground surface, and tidal floods due to rising sea levels. We want to save tens of millions of people in the North coast of Java region along with their economy, because there are many industrial centers and special economic zones there,” said the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono in his statement after the meeting.

In the giant seawall development, the Government is not only focusing on protecting coastal areas but also making it part of efforts to create new economic growth centers. Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani said that the Government is currently perfecting the master plan for development by involving various related parties.

“It is not just building the giant seawall, but also points to boost the economy, increase investment, and provide positive impacts on the economy. We are reviewing, providing input, and conducting studies on that,” said Rosan.

Furthermore, Rosan emphasized that the project is expected to create new economic zones that can drive investment activities and regional development. “So that, this can create a new economic point not only in Jakarta but also in the places where the giant seawall will be built,” he continued.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries as well as the Head of the North Java Coast Management Authority (BPPOJ) Didit Herdiawan Ashaf explained that the Government is currently deepening the study of fifteen segments of the North Java coastal areas. Each segment, according to him, has different regional characteristics and socio-economic challenges.

“Indeed, in that area, there are economic activities carried out by the community. With these mitigation and socio-economic issues, we will address the implementation of development activities,” Didit said.

The Government has identified several priority areas as initial alternatives for implementing the giant seawall development. Nevertheless, Didit said that the Government is still deepening the study of each point so that the project implementation can be adjusted to the regional conditions and the needs of the community in each area.

“For example, Jakarta Bay, in Central Java, West Java, and so on, but for the 15 segments, there are sub-segments and sections within them that require collaboration. For the timeline, we are arranging the implementation of these activities with backward planning calculations on how long it will take because all components must be included,” he said.

Through this strategic project, the Government would like to ensure that coastal protection runs well with economic development, increased investment, and the creation of sustainable new growth centers for the people of the North Coast of Java. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (EST/AW)