Jakarta (ANTARA) – Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono said the government is continuing to refine plans for a Giant Sea Wall project aimed at protecting the northern coastal region of Java from mounting environmental threats.Speaking after attending an alumni event for Taruna Nusantara High School Alumni Association in Jakarta on Saturday, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, widely known as AHY, said the project involves multiple stakeholders due to its extensive coverage across five provinces, 20 districts, and five cities along Java’s northern coast, commonly known as Pantura.“This is not a project involving just one or two parties. There are five provinces, 20 regencies, and five cities involved, especially along the Pantura area,” AHY said.“We are continuing to pursue it, and hopefully by next year (2027) the plan will be more mature,” he added.The giant sea wall project is part of the Indonesian government’s long-term strategy to address tidal flooding, land subsidence, and rising sea levels that increasingly threaten coastal areas, particularly along Java’s northern shoreline.The proposal for the massive coastal barrier has been discussed for years and has regained momentum amid growing climate change risks and increasing pressure on densely populated and economically vital coastal zones. AHY said around 50 million people live in the affected areas, underscoring the need for comprehensive protection measures against environmental threats. Those threats include sea level rise and land subsidence, which have worsened tidal flooding risks in several regions, including Jakarta Bay, Semarang, Demak, and Kendal.According to AHY, land subsidence in some areas has reached between five and 20 centimeters per year, requiring intervention through infrastructure development.To address the issue, the government is considering the construction of coastal embankments and offshore sea walls in affected areas, combined with nature-based solutions such as mangrove planting to help reduce wave impact.In addition to protecting coastal communities, AHY said the project is intended to safeguard strategic industrial zones, special economic zones, and food production centers that have begun to face seawater intrusion.He added that the Giant Sea Wall project would require substantial funding, prompting the government to invite participation from private sector investors and businesses, both domestic and foreign.According to AHY, the project is important not only as a disaster mitigation effort but also as a long-term investment to maintain the sustainability of the national economy. The Giant Sea Wall is planned to stretch around 500 kilometers from Banten to Gresik in East Java.The project’s total investment value is estimated at around $80 billion, with the initial construction phase in Jakarta Bay projected to cost between $8 billion and $10 billion.