Warning of a new financial crisis in Indonesia, the Federal Opposition urged a softer approach by international lenders to the country's huge debt burden left by the collapsed Soeharto regime. Australia should be actively lobbying the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to take a more flexible approach to Indonesia's plight during a difficult political transition, said Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Laurie Brereton. This year Indonesia had to devote 52 per cent of its national budget to interest and repayments on its debts, compared with less than 7 per cent on education and health combined - a debt burden worsening social and political tensions. Students are arrested for chanting anti-government slogans.
Thugs smash windows at the campaign office of a conservative candidate.
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