Java's Giant Sea Wall Project Begins with State and Private Funds

7 hours ago 3

February 23, 2026 | 10:54 pm

An officer from Jakarta North Water Resources Agency patched up the leaking Muara Baru levee in Muara Baru, Jakarta, December 5, 2025. Antara/Indrianto Eko Suwarso

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The North Java Coastal Authority Agency (BOPPJ) is currently formulating the master plan for the giant sea wall project. BOPPJ Head Didit Herdiawan stated that construction will occur along the northern coast of Java, covering approximately 535 kilometers and spanning Banten, Jakarta, Central Java, and East Java.

According to Didit, the urgent construction of the giant sea wall is necessary to protect Java’s northern coast from declining groundwater levels and tidal floods. "We not only need to protect 17-20 million people, but also the entire national assets, totaling approximately US$368 billion," he said at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on Monday, February 23, 2026.

The coastal area's protection will involve an integrated system, including a combination of offshore dikes, onshore dikes, and nature-based solutions such as reinforcing the mangrove ecosystem.

The construction of the giant sea wall requires approximately US$800 billion to US$1 trillion. Didit mentioned that the government will utilize the State Budget and various investments, including foreign capital. "We are currently studying the benefits for our future, for Indonesia; we do not want to burden our government excessively," he said.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto stated that the construction of the giant sea wall along the northern coast of Java can no longer be postponed. This project has been included in the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) files since 1995, some 30 years ago.

"There will be no more delays, no need for much discussion; we will commence it immediately," Prabowo said during his speech at the International Conference on Infrastructure (ICI) 2025 at the Jakarta International Convention Center on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

The construction of the giant sea wall along the northern coast of Java is estimated to take 15 to 20 years. Regarding financing, Prabowo has opened the door to potential foreign investors from China, South Korea, Japan, as well as European and Middle Eastern countries. However, he mentioned that the government is not willing to wait any longer. "Those who want to participate, please do; but we will not wait; we will utilize our own strength," Prabowo said.

Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya Bakrie stated that the government must prepare a clear concept of cooperation and returns if they intend to involve the private sector in the construction of the giant sea wall along the northern coast of Java, given the massive budget and decade-long time required.

To build the giant sea wall along the northern coast of Jakarta alone, an estimated budget of around US$8 billion is needed with a construction period of at least eight years. The central government and the Jakarta Provincial Government would reportedly execute this project. "We will see how the returns will be if the private sector wants to participate," Anindya said after the ICI event on June 12, 2025.

According to him, the construction of the giant sea wall is indeed necessary to protect the island of Java. Therefore, a clear concept of cooperation is essential to attract private sector involvement. Anindya also stated that the government must ensure legal certainty for this long-term investment.

Read: Indonesia Logs Rp127.3 Trillion New Debt in January 2026

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