SYAFRUDDIN Temenggung started clapping his hands when it was pointed out to him that the number of investors queuing up had reached 200. The clock on the wall of the banking hall in the Anggana Danamon building, Jakarta, was moving towards midday. The deadline set by the government was nearly over for investors who wanted to put in auction bids. "Look," said a beaming Syafruddin, "this mean 200 investors are taking part."

On Wednesday last week