Man Of The People

The Indonesian president's mobile phone line has crashed after he gave out his number to the public at the weekend.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he wanted people to feel free to call him with their problems.

But by Monday the line was dead after more than 3,000 calls had been made to the number, local media reported.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said messages varied from simply inquiring after Mr Yudhoyono, to giving him information about local situations.

He said that five more phone lines were needed, but a new computer system would have to be installed first.

A resident of South Jakarta suggested that an email address for the president would be more efficient.