THE Primatop gas stove is still in its cardboard packaging, looks good and there are no dust or paint marks on the cover. This “almost free” stove that was provided by the government has in fact never been used.

Its owner, Herawati, 47, a resident of Kampung Basmol, Rawa Buaya, West Jakarta, much prefers her old, dirty stove, compared to the blue flame. “I am afraid,” she said last week. “The flame is pointed towards down.” Because o