Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto wants all zinc roofs in residential houses across the country to be replaced with clay tiles. According to the Head of State, zinc roofs tend to be hotter and more prone to rust compared to clay tiles.
Prabowo said many houses in Indonesian villages still use zinc roofs. "I want all roofs in Indonesia to use clay tiles," he said during a briefing at the National Coordination Meeting between the Central and Regional Governments in 2026 held in Sentul, Bogor, West Java on Monday, February 2, 2026.
"This is a nationwide 'gentengisasi' project," he added, referring to the process of installing roof tiles.
Prabowo declared plans to equip Red and White Cooperatives with a roof tile factory. According to the Chair of the Gerindra Party, building a tile factory is not costly.
"The raw material for roof tiles is clay, mixed with several other waste materials, making them lightweight and strong," Prabowo said. He also claimed that academic studies have shown that coal ash waste can be used as a mixture for roof tiles.
Prabowo also mentioned that in the past, houses in Indonesia used thatch, palm fiber, or even shingles for roofing, making the houses cooler on the inside.
He emphasized that he no longer wishes to see zinc roof tiles in Indonesian houses, especially those that are already rusty. "Rust is a symbol of degeneration, not a symbol of revival. Indonesia is rising, Indonesia must be strong, and Indonesia must be beautiful," Prabowo said.
Prabowo presented the roof tile initiative on a screen displaying the Nusantara Horizon palette featuring sky blue, navy blue, emerald green, gray, and terracotta colors.