Indonesia Prioritizes Sea Wall Construction to Combat Jakarta Land Subsidence

jakarta (ANTARA) – Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Maruf Amin, has emphasized that the construction of sea walls is a top priority for President Prabowo Subianto. This initiative aims to protect Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city, from the ever-growing threat of flooding brought on by land subsidence.

Yudhoyono revealed that President Subianto is also deeply focused on infrastructure development, particularly in the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara. During a recent cabinet retreat in Magelang, infrastructure, particularly the IKN and the giant sea wall, was the central topic of discussion.

Combatting Land Subsidence and Flood Risks

Concerned about the worsening land subsidence in Jakarta, Yudhoyono met with Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo to strategize solutions and mitigate flood risks. Hanggodo briefed the minister on the PU Ministry’s current progress and challenges in addressing these pressing issues.

“We want the north coast of Jakarta, Tangerang, and Bekasi to be safer due to land subsidence, flooding, and abrasion,” stated Yudhoyono.

The Reach of Indonesia’s Sea Wall Initiative

Hanggodo shared that the proposed sea wall embankment spans a significant distance, stretching 958 kilometers from Cilegon to Gresik. He also noted that a 43-kilometer trial project from Tangerang to Bekasi was conducted years ago, with financial assistance from South Korea and the Netherlands for the basic design.

Trilateral Cooperation for Coastal Resilience

The trilateral cooperation between Indonesia, South Korea, and the Netherlands, initiated in 2016, aims to develop a comprehensive strategy and business case for restoring Jakarta’s coastal environment. This partnership led to the formation of the NCICD Project Management Unit (PMU NCICD) in 2017.

In 2020, the NCICD PMU, working alongside the trilateral partners, produced the Integrated Flood Safety Plan (IFSP). This plan provides an integrated flood control concept, focusing on clean water provision, sanitation improvement at river mouths, and flood control.

The Giant Sea Wall: A Last Resort

If the land subsidence in Jakarta continues unabated, a 21-kilometer giant sea wall will be constructed as a last resort to combat the flooding menace. This Phase B sea wall is projected to reduce the flood area by 112,000 m2 and potentially minimize losses up to Rp600 trillion (USD1 = around Rp15,849).

Protecting Indonesia’s Future

The sea wall construction is a crucial step in safeguarding Indonesia’s future. Land subsidence poses a significant threat to Jakarta, and the government is taking necessary measures to mitigate its impacts. This proactive approach, involving international partnerships and innovative solutions, demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to a resilient future.

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