Jakarta and Semarang Will Sink if Giant Sea Wall Is Not Built

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development (Menko IPK) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has described land subsidence and rising sea levels as a “twin pressure” threatening Java’s North Coast (Pantura) region.

This situation is seen as potentially triggering tidal flooding and more fatal disasters if not addressed promptly through appropriate interventions.

“Land surface subsidence of 1 cm to 20 cm per year has occurred. The worst cases are in Jakarta and Semarang. However, subsidence is also continuously happening in other areas,” said AHY.

AHY, who also serves as the Advisory Board Chairman of the North Java Coast Management Authority (BOPUJ), stated that simultaneously, sea levels are rising due to global warming at a rate of 0.8 cm to 1.2 cm per year.

“This can be called a twin pressure: rising sea levels. This rise is also concerning due to global warming,” he said.

AHY also warned of the potential for worse disasters if no handling measures are taken.

Therefore, projections of sea inundation by 2050 without intervention show a worrying condition. In addition to flood threats, Java’s North Coast also faces water crises.

“Not only facing excess water in the form of floods, but also scarcity and water crises. This must also be addressed seriously,” he said.

For that reason, protecting coastal areas through the Giant Sea Wall has become urgent.

This is because around 55 million people live in 20 regencies and five cities in the Java North Coast region. Meanwhile, about 26 percent of the population lives in coastal areas.

“Therefore, this is an urgency that we hope will drive and mobilise us all,” he emphasised.