Story perspectives

Indonesia's Roof Tile Revolution: Tourism Boost or Environmental Risk?

2/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has launched a campaign to replace corrugated zinc roofs with clay tiles to improve the country's image and attract tourists.
The initiative, called gentengisasi or "mass roofing," seeks to revive the struggling roof-tile industry.
Analysts caution the plan could harm the environment, require expensive structural upgrades, and face opposition outside Java.
Prabowo argues that using soil and waste materials could make roof tiles affordable and sustainable.

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Story summary

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has launched a campaign to replace corrugated zinc roofs with clay tiles to improve the country's image and attract tourists.
The initiative, called gentengisasi or "mass roofing," seeks to revive the struggling roof-tile industry.
Analysts caution the plan could harm the environment, require expensive structural upgrades, and face opposition outside Java.
Prabowo argues that using soil and waste materials could make roof tiles affordable and sustainable.