Now it all make sense. I was on the road this morning and had taken the Stevens Road exit as usual from the PIE. As I headed down the exit passing Whitley Road, I can’t help but notice the number of military personnel (Guardsmen & Gurkhars) and Special Operations Command personnel from the Singapore Police Force cordoning an area from St. Joseph Institute. I had initially thought maybe there was an important dignitary at the Singapore Chinese Girls School. The cordon area had in fact stretched all the way to Anglo Chinese School at Barker Road.

I began playing with the idea that there was a security breach somewhere. Somehow the military training I had previously began to resurface. There was most probably a manhunt on given the number of security personnel and vehicles. Personnel were mostly positioned no more than 4-5 metres apart from each other.

The thing that struck me was apart from long handle torch-lights, batons and night-sticks, the security personnel were unarmed. I didn’t see a single MP5, M16 or SAR21 in sight. That’s an odd sight for a manhunt. Even security personnel patrolling places of special interest like the Changi Airport would had been equipped to handle a shootout against armed terrorists with sufficient punch till reinforcements arrive.

This has to be one of Singapore’s most embarrassing moments. The island has been known to be pretty up-tight on security. I’m very sure someone’s head is going to be hung for this one. By the looks of what I witnessed first hand this morning on the way into the office, I think whoever that person is commanding this entire operation needs to be caught with his pants down too. Some manhunt they got there. Are the top brass taking security seriously in Singapore to begin with? Something to think about before the Youth Olympic Games Singapore 2010.

More Prison Break Singapore Style available at The Singapore Daily

JI detainee escaped while being escorted to meet family
Posted: 28 February 2008 1311 hrs

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Mas Selamat Kastari guarded by Indonesian police in Tanjung Pinang on Bintang island, Riau in 2003

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Manhunt Underway
JI detainee Mas Selamat Kastari escapes from Singapore detention centre

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Home Affairs explains escape of JI detainee

SINGAPORE: Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng has cited a lapse in security at the Whitley Detention Centre on Wednesday as the cause for the escape of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member Mas Selamat Kastari.
He told MPs, who had raised the matter in Parliament, that Mas Selamat had been taken from his cell to another part of the detention centre for a visit from his family. He then asked to be allowed to visit the toilet, where he escaped.
“This should have never have happened. I am sorry that it has,” said Mr Wong in an update to the House, adding that an independent investigation is underway.
The Home Affairs Minister went on to say that security at the centre has been stepped up and there should not be any speculation on what and how the escape happened.
Mr Wong described Mas Selamat as a security threat, which is why he was placed under preventive detention. But he added that officials are not taking any chances even though there is no information that Mas Selamat has any plans that threaten public security.
As to why the public was informed of the escape only some four hours after it happened, Mr Wong said the focus was to lock down the detention centre before starting a systematic operation to search for the fugitive and arrest him. That was because the security assessment was that the escape posed no imminent danger to the public.
Mr Wong said the arrest of Mas Selamat remains a priority and there will be no effort spared in tracking him down. Security at all land, sea and air checkpoints has been tightened, including areas where there is a possibility of Mas Selamat slipping out of Singapore.
In the meantime, Mr Wong has urged the public to stay calm and to report any suspicious sighting to the police, reminding that any help given to Mas Selamat is a serious crime. - CNA/sf

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