Horror of North Coast Conditions: AHY Reveals Demak Land Subsiding 20 cm/Year

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, or AHY, has revealed that the condition of Java’s North Coast (Pantura) in several areas is increasingly concerning. Regions such as Jakarta, Pemalang, Pekalongan, and Semarang have already experienced significant land subsidence. In Demak, the subsidence reaches up to 20 cm per year, while Indramayu has seen 15 cm per year. AHY noted that many areas are experiencing land subsidence ranging from 1 cm to 20 cm per year. “Several North Coast regions have experienced land surface subsidence ranging from 1 cm to 20 cm per year, with the worst cases in Jakarta and Semarang. However, subsidence continues in other areas as well,” AHY stated during his presentation at the coordination meeting of the Java North Coast Management Authority (BOPPJ) on Monday (4/5/2026). AHY added that the massive land subsidence is due to excessive groundwater use. “Excessive groundwater use is also causing the land surface to subside further, especially what is happening in Jakarta at present,” he continued. This situation has prompted AHY to accelerate efforts to address issues in Java’s North Coast, including building a giant sea wall to stem tidal flooding along the coast. “Therefore, this is an urgency that we hope will drive and mobilise us all to build the giant sea wall more quickly,” he said.