Indonesian volcanic rumblings 'could spell political chaos'
Psychics in Indonesia believe a spate of volcanic eruptions are an omen of political chaos.
MP Permadi Satrio Wibowo, a self-styled fortune-teller, said an upsurge in volcanic rumblings was a spiritual reflection of mounting anger against President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Mr Permadi, who often appears on television to put a mystical spin on social and political events, said that for centuries Indonesians had looked to the mood of the archipelago's 500 volcanoes to forecast the future.
"The volcanoes are heating up," he said. "That means these are dangerous times for Wahid. If there is a big eruption, there will be a social revolution."
President Wahid has been formally censured by the country's parliament in connection with corruption scandals.
Scientists monitoring Mount Merapi, in the densely populated heart of Indonesia's main island of Java, have warned the volcano may soon erupt.
For the past three weeks, columns of poisonous grey smoke have billowed into the sky and red-hot lava has cascaded down its slopes.
Volcanologists warn that Mount Kelud in eastern Java, Mr Wahid's home province, may soon blow. Several other volcanoes also are bubbling away.
