Indonesia to begin construction of long-delayed US$80bil giant sea wall
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 forward with renewed urgency.
The project will span about 500km, 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. They are expected to allocate about US$1 billion annually over the next eight years to fund initial construction.
While open to international collaboration, including with China, Japan, South Korea, Europe and the Middle East, the government will prioritise domestic expertise and resources.
A special task force will be formed to promote the project, while 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's northern coast, issues officials warn are causing significant economic losses.
Last year, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said annual flooding in coastal Jakarta already results in 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.
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