Issue on the escape of JI leader Mas Selamat Kastari

~~ A security lapse at Whitley Detention Centre led to the escape of Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mas Selamat Kastari on Wednesday afternoon. It was reported that Mas Selamat was being taken to the toilet before a meeting at the Family Visit Room when he escaped. He is still at large. A massive force of Special Operations Command officers, gurkhas and police officers were deployed from Wednesday in the manhunt which followed. And as Thursday dawned, the effort continued, with army personnel as well. Security has been tightened at all land, sea and air checkpoints.~~

The escape of JI leader Mas Selamat Kastari made the headlines on Thursday morning. It was reported in the newpapers, the television, the radio, and many other media. It created an uproar and concern among most Singaporeans. Everybody is expressing their views, while some question about the time lag to inform the public.

International terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna described Mas Selamat, who had been detained under the Internal Security Act, as "the most ruthless of the Singapore JI members". Mas Selamat fled Singapore in December 2001 following an Internal Security Department operation against the JI network here. He was arrested in Bintan by the Indonesian authorities in 2003 and deported to Singapore two years ago. "His mindset is more Al Qaeda then JI. He had planned to hijack a plane from Bangkok and crash it into Changi. He presents an immediate danger to the security of Singapore and the region and must be captured," Dr Gunaratna, the head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the Nanyang Technological University, told TODAY.

This is indeed a serious issue as having a terrorist at large poses a risk worldwide. Nobody wants a repeat of a devastating incident similar to the September 11, 2001 attacks. From Malaysia to Indonesia, security checks have been stepped up and the borders are on high alret. At home in Singapore, everybody is making concerted efforts to arrest the detainee under the Internal Security Act.

The manager of a petrol station at Whitley Road was reported as having told two Chinese evening newspapers, Lianhe Wanbao and Shin Min Daily, on Friday that he saw a man resembling the escaped detainee Mas Selamat about one hour after he bolted from the nearby detention centre, his co-worker also provided similar information. It is really commendable for them to render information to the police and I hope that more members of the public will continue to assist the police.

Globally, world police group Interpol has posted "Red Notice" alert for Kastari which allows a warrant to be circulated worldwide with the request that the wanted person be arrested with a view to extradition. I hope that this move will successfuly track down the detainee and lead to his arrest as soon as possible, without any injury, loss of life, or mishap.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/331726/1/.html
http://www.spf.gov.sg/