Prabowo Proposes National "Gentengisasi" Project to Replace Zinc Roofing

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto wants a national movement to replace zinc roofs with clay-based tiles or "gentengization" as part of efforts to beautify the face of Indonesia.

When opening the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Central and Regional Governments in Sentul, Bogor, the President said that the use of zinc roofs still dominates houses in Indonesia.

According to him, this not only makes the environment look less beautiful, but also has an impact on the comfort of home residents because they tend to be hot and easy to rust.

"I want all the roofs of Indonesia to use tiles. So later this movement is a movement, the project is the project of gentrification throughout Indonesia," said Prabowo as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 2.

The idea of this national gentrification project, said Prabowo, will involve the Red and White Village/Neighborhood Cooperative (KDMP) as the spearhead of production.

Later, the cooperative will be equipped with a local scale tile factory, where the equipment is relatively affordable. In addition, the raw materials used are also easy to obtain, because they come from the ground that can be mixed with other materials to be lighter and stronger.

"So later the Red and White Cooperative will be equipped with a tile factory. The tile is made from soil, and mixed with several other waste substances, it can be light and strong," he explained.

The President revealed a study by academics that said coal ash waste could be used as a mixture of roofing materials.

According to him, this innovation not only produces quality tiles, but also becomes a solution for the utilization of industrial waste.

The Head of State emphasized that the gentrification program would receive government support, both before and after its implementation. He also invited regional heads to take part in the program.

"We will help our brothers, before gentrification, after gentrification. This is serious, yes, the Regent, the Mayor, who does not want his city to be beautiful, it's up to you. Those who want it, let's work together to make your city beautiful, make your district beautiful, make your village beautiful," said the President.

The President hopes that in the next two to three years, the face of Indonesia will change for the better, and be free of rusty zinc roofs which are considered a symbol of backwardness.