Reach out

Jakarta

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono tried a new tack in participatory government this week, giving out his cell phone number to the public. “If you think government officials don’t care, never come to you, and your problems are left unsettled, my cellular phone is active 24 hours a day,” the president announced. But within a day, more than 3,000 calls had swamped his line, rendering it inactive. A government spokesman said the president would consider setting up more lines and having them manned by aides. Callers to an Indonesian talk show, though, suggested an e-mail address might be more convenient.