Suharto orders action against corruption

President Suharto of Indonesia has ordered his Cabinet ministers to cut back on government spending and to take firm and fast action against corruption.

The president told a cabinet meeting called to consider next year's budget that ministers should curb foreign trips, and leave their wives at home when they do travel.

He also urged state-owned companies to improve efficiency, quality and productivity.

Like many other east Asian countries, Indonesia's economy has been badly affected by turmoil in the financial markets in recent months.

The national currency, the rupiah, fell to another all-time low against the dollar on Wednesday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service