At the State Palace, Jakarta, the president guided Ashaf to take the oath of office following the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 76P of 2025 on the appointment of the head and deputy heads of the Pantura Authority.
Born in South Sulawesi Province, Ashaf is known as both a bureaucrat and a former navy soldier, currently serving as Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in the Red and White Cabinet since October 21 last year.
President Prabowo also appointed Darwin Trisna Djajawinata and Suhajar Diantoro as deputy heads of the new agency. Djajawinata currently serves as director of operations and finance at a state-run infrastructure financing company, while Diantoro previously served as secretary-general at the Home Affairs Ministry.
The three officials are now tasked with pushing forward the construction of a giant sea wall envisioned to stretch about 700 kilometers from Banten to East Java. First introduced in 1995, the plan had stalled until President Prabowo declared it a national priority.
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In its initial stage, the government intends to build the structure along the northern coastal areas of Jakarta, Banten, and Bekasi, with an estimated budget of Rp123 trillion (around US$7.4 billion) for the next eight years.
In Jakarta, the program has been incorporated into the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) project.
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has repeatedly underscored the significance of the project for millions living along Java’s northern shoreline.
He emphasized that the sea wall aims to protect communities from the impacts of climate change, including worsening coastal erosion, land subsidence, and tidal flooding.
Meanwhile, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has assured the public that the project would not interfere with ongoing aquaculture pond revitalization along the Pantura.
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Translator: Andi F/Fathur R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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