Why Prabowo’s push for clay roofs in ‘rusty’ Indonesia may face a brick wall

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto is advocating for a nationwide initiative, "gentengisasi," to replace corrugated zinc roofs with clay tiles. He believes this will improve the country's aesthetic, reduce indoor temperatures, revitalize the struggling clay tile industry, and attract tourists. Prabowo suggests using soil mixed with waste materials, including coal waste, to produce the tiles. However, analysts caution that the plan may face environmental challenges, require expensive structural modifications, and encounter resistance, particularly outside of Java. The President expressed his concerns about the prevalence of zinc roofs across Indonesia in a February speech, citing their tendency to rust and contribute to overheating homes.

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