Stop Press - three news items; from Hong Kong, Japan and Indonesia - Brief Article

Business Asia, April, 2001

WINNERS

Former Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto might have ended his last tenure in the top job on a rather disastrous note in 1998, but it appears that if his efforts to become the new leader of the LDP are successful, he could become the favourite in the national polls for the upper house in July.

Hashimoto resigned as leader of the LDP after just two years in office, driven by a massive defeat in the upper house elections in 1998. Despite this, industry experts believe that Hashimoto's advocacy of economic and social reforms could make him the most competent candidate in the field.

LOSERS

Indonesian Prime Minister Abdurrahman Wahid hasn't had a day's peace since his rocky entry into Parliament 16 months ago. Wahid, who is continuing to hold onto office despite impeachment charges and growing dissatisfaction with his leadership, rejected a parliamentary censure over two financial scandals last month, but, for the first time, apologised for any "inappropriate behaviour" he may have shown. In addition to the two financial scandals, legislators are also dissatisfied with Wahid for his failure to end communal fighting in several trouble spots and for not improving the economy, which some analysts say is on the verge of collapse. Almost a third of MPs have signed a petition charging Wahid with breaching his oath of office and the constitution, partly over the controversial sacking of two Ministers last year.

KEEP AN EYE ON

A unique breed of chicken that is claimed to be both tastier and meatier will soon be available on Hong Kong menus.

The hybrid bird is the result of a HK$10 million government-funded research project carried out by local zoologists after poultry farmers complained that their chickens were getting too bland in taste.

Named after the research centre it was bred in, the "Kadoorie Yummy Chicken" bird has been tailor-made for southern Chinese cuisine, in which chicken dishes are hugely popular during major festivals like the lunar New Year. They are expected to sell for around HK$80. Bird researchers at the centre have stressed that the chicken is not genetically modified.