Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono stated on Tuesday that President Prabowo Subianto has called for an integrated approach that combines man-made infrastructure, such as seawalls, with natural defenses like mangrove belts.
“Not all parts of the Pantura coastline require seawalls. Development will be guided by local topography,” the minister explained.
Following a meeting with Head of the Pantura Authority Didit Herdiawan Ashaf and President Prabowo, Yudhoyono emphasized that certain areas suffer from severe land subsidence, making seawalls a necessary intervention.
“When we look at the map of Java’s northern coast, some contours and geographies are in poor condition. In those areas, whether we like it or not, seawalls must be built—several kilometers inland,” he said.
In regions with more stable geography, mangroves offer a viable and efficient alternative to safeguard communities. Yudhoyono stressed that protecting the Pantura region is essential to shield residents from threats ranging from land subsidence to sudden flooding.
“We also aim to protect strategic industrial zones and special economic areas located along Java’s northern coast,” he added.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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