Indonesian author showers cash from plane

JAKARTA (Reuters) - An Indonesian author tossed 100 million rupiah ($10,740) from a plane on Sunday to promote his new book, prompting a scramble for cash among poor residents below.

Tung Desem Waringin showered the cash from the plane over Serang, 75 km (45 miles) west of the capital Jakarta. Around 500 people scooped up the money, organizers said.

Millions of Indonesians live on less than 2 dollars a day.

Waringin promoted his first book, a bestseller, in 2005 by riding a horse along Jakarta's main streets dressed as one of the country's most celebrated war heroes. His second book is on marketing.

He carried out his latest stunt after being denied permission to shower cash over Jakarta.

(Reporting by Telly Nathalia, editing by Sara Webb and Charles Dick)