AHY Says Giant Sea Wall Project Will Focus On Jakarta, Semarang And Demak

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development (Menko IPK) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) conveyed the latest concept of the construction of a giant sea embankment or Giant Sea Wall (GSW).

AHY said that the construction of GSW is planned to be built along the North Coast of Java (Pantura) from Jakarta to Gresik. However, in the early stages of development, it will be focused first in the areas of Jakarta, Semarang and Demak.

"Regarding Giant Sea Wall, we focus on Jakarta, Semarang as well as Demak. We have only integrated several others," AHY said at the Coordination Meeting (Rakor) at the Coordinating Ministry for IPK office, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 13.

Furthermore, AHY emphasized that efforts to maintain high coastal water in other areas will be carried out using a natural approach. One of them is by planting mangroves in coastal areas.

This is done in order to reduce the cost of the construction of the sea embankment which is estimated to reach thousands of trillions.

"Integration with nature-based solutions, including mangroves that can be used as protection for the north coast, protects tens of millions of residents as well as various industrial estates and special economic zones that contribute significantly to GDP nationally," he said.

Previously, Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo said China and South Korea (South Korea) were interested in investing in the giant sea embankment project.

This was conveyed by Dody after meeting the Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi and Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul at his office, Jakarta, Monday, April 14.

"Yesterday, it was conveyed by the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure (Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono) like China is also interested, South Korea is also interested. Actually, there are quite a lot," said Dody to reporters at his office, Monday, April 14.

Even so, Dody said, the format related to the formation of the Giant Sea Wall authority must be finalized first. So, it can be discussed technically afterwards.