Prabowo: Giant Sea Wall to Protect Pantura Residents and Economy - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that constructing Java’s North Coast (Pantura) Giant Sea Wall is crucial for protecting the public and national economic activities from various risks in the coastal region.

Speaking on the program “Presiden Prabowo Menjawab” (President Prabowo Answers), he said that Pantura has a high concentration of industry and economic activity. This necessitates coastal protection infrastructure to address the area's various risks. 

“It is vital because a vast number of our industries are located along Java’s North Coast. So, we need coastal embankments, sea walls, and breakwaters,” said Prabowo, as quoted by ANTARA.

According to Prabowo, the giant sea wall—planned to stretch from Tangerang to East Java—is projected to protect approximately 50 million people while safeguarding 38 percent of Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He explained that Pantura comprises 70 industrial estates and five economic zones, and serves as a vital part of the national logistics corridor.

Overall, the giant sea wall project is planned to span approximately 575 kilometers and be divided into 15 segments.

Prabowo said the project is expected to begin in early 2027, and it has already attracted interest from potential funders. “There are already interested parties, and there are also those willing to provide financing. So, this is one of the strategic projects we must carry out,” he stated.

However, Prabowo emphasized that Giant Sea Wall is a long-term project, so the timeline for completion varies by region. “This program is not quick. We estimate it might take eight years for Jakarta alone. Semarang might be faster,” said Prabowo.

President Prabowo estimates that the construction of the giant sea wall will take up to approximately 20 years. However, if implementation proceeds more rapidly, the project could potentially be completed within about 10 to 15 years.

Read: Bahlil, Suahasil Meet Prabowo at Palace: What's on the Agenda?