Indonesia to build massive sea wall to combat rising sea levels

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has approved the construction of a massive 700-km sea wall stretching from Banten to East Java to protect rice fields on the north coast of Java Island.

Houses damaged by abrasion on the North Coast, Sidaharja Village, Tegal District, Central Java (Photo: Antara)
Houses damaged by abrasion on the North Coast, Sidaharja Village, Tegal District, Central Java (Photo: Antara)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has approved the construction of a massive 700-km sea wall stretching from Banten to East Java, the President's Special Envoy for Climate and Energy Hashim Sujono Djojohadikusumo announced recently.

According to the president's envoy, the programme aims to protect rice fields on the north coast of Java Island.

He drew attention to public concerns about the sea wall, particularly the threat posed by rising sea levels to fishermen.

Hashim stated that plans for the giant sea wall had been in development since 1994, highlighting that the government recognised the dangers posed by rising sea levels at that time. However, the project has not been realised.

The envoy projected that the giant sea wall's construction could take 10 to 20 years.

Earlier, President Prabowo instructed his ranks to review the construction of a giant sea wall extending from Jakarta to Cirebon as part of a National Strategic Programme (PSN) in 2025.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto noted that the construction of the Jakarta-Cirebon giant sea wall project will connect with existing flood and tidal control embankments in Tambaklorok, Semarang, Central Java./.

VNA

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