Govt Finalizes Giant Sea Wall Plan Along Java's North Coast, Involves Universities

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian government is advancing plans for a giant sea wall along Java’s northern coast to protect millions and key industrial areas. Amid environmental concerns, officials said the project is still in the planning stage, while the government is trying to involve university experts.

The government is finalizing plans to build the wall in a meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta's Merdeka Palace on Monday, 20 April 2026. The government considers the construction of the sea wall a national strategic project, expected to protect the world’s most densely populated island from threats such as tidal flooding and coastal erosion.

Indonesia's Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, said after the meeting that his ministry has been asked to actively participate in the project through research and innovation from universities. Brian noted that the project could safeguard 60% of industrial areas and more than 30 million residents in affected regions.

"Lots ot of research outcomes from universities have already been tested, including successful trials in Demak and Semarang in Central Java. We have been asked to actively participate," he said, as quoted from the country's Presidential Secretariat.

"So, lecturers conducting research on campus that supports acceleration and improves efficiency in the development of the Giant Sea Wall are expected to be involved," he said.

Besides, Brian added that he will invite several professors with relevant expertise such as land development and reclamation to meet with the Northern Java Coast Management Authority. He also mentioned that they will be included in the "implementation team".

"They will be directly involved in joining the team led by the head of the Authority," Brian said.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Didit Herdiawan Ashaf, stated that the project is still in the planning stage. Didit, also serves as Head of the Northern Java Coast Management Authority, said the government is currently studying various aspects, particularly those related to construction.

“The timeline for implementation is still being calculated, as it depends on the resources available in Indonesia. We will utilize all available resources," Didit said.

"One of the key priorities is leveraging environmental aspects, including absorbing elements related to waste,” he said.

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The giant sea wall project has been planned since 1995, following a decree signed by Indonesia's second president, Suharto, in his New Order government; initially to protect the northern coast of Jakarta. Recently, it has been extended along the entire northern coast of Java, at approximately 535 kilometers.

Although it is expected to shield Java’s coastline from the negative impacts of climate change, some experts and environmental activists argue that man-made barriers are not the right solution. They worried that the giant sea wall project could further damage the coastal ecosystem of northern Java.

"This is because the walls only reflect wave energy rather than absorb it. This reflected wave energy will erode the surrounding area," associate lecturer at Semarang's Diponegoro University, Aris Ismanto, wrote in The Conversation.

"Furthermore, seawalls impede the flow of sediment, such as sand and mud, which is essential for maintaining the shape and ecosystem of the coast," he emphasized.