Indonesia's Coastal Areas at Risk of Submergence, Minister Issues Warning

North Coast (Pantura) of Java is in a critical phase. The region, which forms the backbone of the national economy, faces two major threats simultaneously: land subsidence and rising sea levels.

According to Minister of Coordination for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), land subsidence in Pantura reaches 15-20 centimetres per year, with the worst conditions in Jakarta and Semarang.

‘I wish to state that land surface has been subsiding by 15 to 20 centimetres annually, most severely in Jakarta and Semarang,’ AHY stated recently.

At the same time, Pantura is also hit by sea level rise due to global warming of 0.8 to 1.2 centimetres per year. AHY described this as ‘twin pressure’, increasing the threat of tidal flooding.

‘This leads to persistent tidal flooding that could destroy property and damage residents’ homes and more,’ he said.

AHY warned that without serious intervention, sea inundation in Pantura by 2050 could be significantly worse. Besides tidal flooding, coastal communities are also beginning to face clean water scarcity threats.

According to AHY, the Pantura threat must be addressed urgently as the region contributes approximately 27.53% to the national GDP in 2025, equivalent to US$368.37 billion.

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has prepared coastal protection technology. It reported that 65.8% of Pantura’s coastline from Serang to Situbondo has experienced erosion. BRIN researcher Tubagus Solihuddin attributed abrasion to high development pressure and coastal area exploitation.

To address the situation, BRIN Chief Arif Satria said they have prepared five coastal protection technologies, including modular multi-functional seawalls, automatically interlocking breakwaters, and tidal current platforms that generate energy.

‘These technologies are crucial as they offer high stability, are more economical, and simpler to produce,’ Arif said.

Additionally, BRIN is developing a hybrid eco-engineering approach combining infrastructure and mangrove rehabilitation to dampen waves and restore coastal ecosystems.

Meanwhile, Head of the North Coast of Java Management Authority (BOPPJ) Didit Herdiawan Ashaf stated that President Prabowo Subianto has requested the accelerated development of a Pantura protection master plan to address threats to around 55 million residents in the area.