THE mud-floor house of the size of a security guard sentry box was empty last week. The plaited-bamboo walls were torn and decayed in some parts. Indeed the inhabitants were no longer there. Kasifah, an old woman who had lived there, died while struggling in the queue to obtain her Rp300,000 handout from the government.

The misfortune happened on Friday two weeks ago. Kasifah welcomed that particular morning happily with bright eyes. Direct cash m