AHY Reveals Critical Conditions for Pantura Java, Jakarta and Semarang Must Be Alert

Menko IPK AHY (Photo: VOI File)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development (IPK) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said that land subsidence and rising sea level are twin pressures that threaten the North Coast (Pantura) region of Java.

This condition is considered potentially triggering flash floods to more fatal disasters if it is not immediately handled through appropriate interventions.

This was conveyed by AHY in his remarks at the Kick-Off Meeting of the Integrated Pantura Java Coastal Protection Infrastructure in Jakarta, Monday, May 4.

"Once again I want to convey that there has been a decrease in land surface of 1 (cm) to 20 cm per year. The worst happened in Jakarta and also Semarang. But, in other areas, land subsidence or land surface decline continues to occur," said AHY.

AHY, who also serves as the Board of Directors of the Java Pantura Management Authority (BOPPJ), said that at the same time there was an increase in sea level due to global warming of 0.8 cm to 1.2 cm per year.

"It can be said that this is a twin pressure, double pressure, sea level rise. This rising sea level is also worrying due to global warming," he said.

According to AHY, this condition makes the threat of flash floods continue to lurk in the Pantura Java area and has the potential to damage residents' houses and infrastructure.

The General Chair of the Democratic Party also reminded of the potential for worse disasters if there were no handling steps.

Therefore, the projection of sea water inundation until 2050 without intervention shows an alarming condition. In addition to the threat of flooding, Pantura Java also faces a water crisis.

"Not only dealing with excess water in the form of floods, but also water scarcity and crisis. We must also deal with this seriously," he said.

Moreover, continued AHY, the Pantura Java region has a significant contribution to the national economy, contributing around 27 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Therefore, protecting the coastal area, the Giant Sea Wall, is urgent.

Considering that there are around 55 million people living in 20 regencies and five cities in the Java hinterland. Meanwhile, around 26 percent of people live in coastal areas.

"Therefore, this is an urgency that we hope will encourage and motivate everyone," he concluded.