One Year in Office, President Prabowo Emphasizes Acceleration of Giant Sea Wall Infrastructure Project
Jakarta — Marking the first year of his presidency, President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed his commitment to fast-track the realization of the Giant Sea Wall project along the northern coast of Java. This ambitious infrastructure initiative is regarded as a vital safeguard for Indonesia’s future in the face of climate change and the growing threat of rising sea levels.
“I want to underline that one of the most strategic and vital infrastructure projects for us—a mega project that we must carry out—is the Giant Sea Wall along the northern coast of Java,” President Prabowo said in a statement in Jakarta.
President Prabowo emphasized that his administration would not repeat past tendencies of delaying major projects. According to him, Indonesia has entered a new era that demands swift, measurable, and impactful action for the benefit of the people.
“We will not be discouraged. There is no more room for delay, no need for excessive talk—this will be executed immediately,” he asserted.
The Giant Sea Wall is planned to span approximately 500 kilometers, from Banten to Gresik, East Java, with an estimated cost of USD 80 billion. The project will be carried out in stages over 15 to 20 years. For the Jakarta Bay area alone, the construction is expected to take 8 to 10 years.
“If extended to East Java, it may take 15 to 20 years,” the President explained. He added that this is not merely a physical infrastructure project, but a monumental effort to protect millions of residents in northern coastal areas of Java from tidal flooding, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels.
The government is currently finalizing plans and coordinating across ministries to move the project into the implementation phase. Rachmat Kaimuddin, Deputy for Basic Infrastructure Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development, stated that various technical studies and discussions around the sea wall’s development concept have been completed.
“We’ve conducted many discussions and studies. Now, President Prabowo wants to move forward with execution,” he said.
Rachmat clarified that the Giant Sea Wall will not follow a one-size-fits-all approach across Java’s northern coastline. Instead, the government will tailor the design and scale of the sea wall based on each region’s geographic characteristics and specific needs.
“We’re not building a structure like China’s Great Wall stretching uninterrupted from Banten to Gresik,” he stressed.
He noted that the approach will be adaptive, taking into account the social, environmental, and economic conditions of each area.
Meanwhile, Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry, Rosan Roeslani, expressed appreciation for the initiatives taken by several regional governments—especially the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government—in supporting national strategic projects through local investment efforts.
“Jakarta makes a major contribution to Indonesia’s progress. Programs like Waste to Energy and the Giant Sea Wall not only benefit Jakarta but also have broader impacts on the environment and public welfare,” Rosan explained.
He underscored the importance of collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and the private sector to accelerate the realization of major infrastructure projects like the Giant Sea Wall. According to him, cross-sector synergy is key to creating a healthy investment climate, strengthening economic stability, and generating new job opportunities.
“Strong collaboration will accelerate the implementation of strategic projects and ensure their benefits reach a wide segment of the population,” he concluded.
With strong political will from President Prabowo, and full support from various ministries and regional governments, the Giant Sea Wall project is expected to become a symbol of the government’s seriousness in building sustainable infrastructure that protects Indonesia’s future from climate change and coastal disasters.
