DPM says hunt for Mas Selamat to focus on specific intelligence

Channel NewsAsia - Wednesday, March 26

SINGAPORE: The search for alleged JI leader of Singapore Mas Selamat Kastari will now become more targeted — based on specific intelligence on where he might be hiding.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng on Wednesday said information showed the wanted man is still in Singapore.

He gave this update on the manhunt efforts after meeting some 80 Gurkha soldiers involved in the search.

Mas Selamat escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre one month ago.

Mr Wong said the police and the Singapore Armed Forces have been conducting a systematic search of forested areas and unoccupied buildings.

This general search will be completed in about a week.

Mr Wong added that large ground forces deployment will be scaled down, but ground forces will remain ready to be activated.

Other operations such as security inspections at land checkpoints and sea patrol surveillance will continue.

Mr Wong said if necessary, Singapore will amend its laws to strengthen policing within its territorial waters.

He emphasised that the manhunt will continue for as long as it takes until Mas Selamat is captured. — CNA/ac

S’poreans showing united front in efforts to capture Mas Selamat

Channel NewsAsia - Sunday, March 2

SINGAPORE: Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said Singaporeans are displaying a united front in efforts to capture Mas Selamat Kastari.

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia at a community event on Saturday, Mr Tharman said he is also heartened that the Malay—Muslim community is taking a lead in this search.

He said: "From the initial reactions, Singaporeans are confident that Mas Selamat will be found, but more importantly this is an opportunity where Singaporeans are coming together, reassuring each other and also reassuring the Malay—Muslim community who have themselves taken the lead.

"What you read on the Internet is sometimes different from what you observe on the ground. They’re calm, they’re alert, but no one is giving anyone a cold shoulder."


— CNA/so