Jakarta, Feb. 5 -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has approved the construction of a massive 700-km sea wall stretching from Banten to East Java, the President's Special Envoy for Climate and Energy Hashim Sujono Djojohadikusumo announced recently.

According to the president's envoy, the programme aims to protect rice fields on the north coast of Java Island.

He drew attention to public concerns about the sea wall, particularly the threat posed by rising sea levels to fishermen.

Hashim stated that plans for the giant sea wall had been in development since 1994, highlighting that the government recognised the dangers posed by rising sea levels at that time. However, the project has not been realised.

The envoy projected that the...