Mr. Chin, an independent, is a lawyer specializing in international trade, real-estate development and banking.

"Economic theory isn't always right," Mr. Chin, the information minister, said in an interview.

Mr. Chin is the best-known figure, and his politically pointed work looks persuasive here.

Mr. Chin said the killer might have wanted to burn the body to destroy evidence.

In the past few years, Mr. Chin said, the number of students has fallen to about 80 or 90 a year from 150.

"There must be 5,000 people who were living in that building," Mr. Chin said.

The sandwich business developed gradually, Mr. Chin said, until it all but took over.

After working for weeks, they came across a customs declaration signed by Mr. Chin.

Mr. Chin said he hopes to build a prototype by 2006.

In an industry where criticism is usually given privately, Mr. Chin goes public.