The clock sounding 12 midnight did not bother Bambang Kesowo at his office on Friday evening. A few moments later the economy deputy of the state secretariat, Susiati Hirawan, turned up to see his superior. Several of Bambang's other assistants were also there.

Towards 1am Bambang left his office, no longer wearing his coat and tie. The only accessories left were a dinky headset in his ear attached to his handphone.

"My driver had a c