Monday, April 21, 2008
Mas Selamat's escape Report by DPM WKS
NEARLY two months after his escape shocked Singapore and prompted a massive manhunt for Mas Selamat, Parliament is likely to be told on Monday how the terror chief managed to get away.
This is the open ventilation window inside the toilet, which Mas Selamat escaped from Whitley Road Detention Centre on Feb 27. -- PHOTO: MHA
FUGITIVE terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari probably planned his escape over a period of time and seized the opportunity when a 'confluence' of factors gave him the break to flee from the Whitley Road detention centre on Feb 27. He gave Parliament a full account of the escape, based on the findings of the Committee of Inquiry (COI), which submitted its report to him on April 10.
The five-page executive summary of the report was also presented in Parliament.
The COI, said Mr Wong, had found 'no evidence of connivance or collusion' or any help given to the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) leader by anyone within the detention centre.
It took the JI leader under 11 minutes between 3.54pm and 4.05pm to make his escape - from the time he was brought to the toilet in the family visitation block and the time when the alert to his breakout was raised.
The three-member COI said a confluence of three critical factors led to security lapses, enabling the JI detainee to escape.
Mr Wong said he agreed with the COI's findings and accepted all its recommendations.
He added that he was satisfied that the COI had done a thorough job.
The COI had recommended improvements to strengthen security at the detention centre and this would be followed up to prevent another escape, said the minister, adding that all the physical lapses in the facility had also been dealt with.
In all, the COI recorded statements from 41 people and heard testimony from 36. It was given full access to all information and the detention centre.
Because of the many sensitive details, including the identity of the Internal Security Department and other security personnel and the precise work they do, he said the Cabinet has agreed that it is not possible to release the entire report 'without harming national interest and endangering the men and women who serve the nation'.
'We had also considered releasing the COI's report with the sensitive parts blacked out, but that was not feasible as the details are extensive. It would not only make understanding the report difficult, but also fuel the distraction of baseless speculation,' said the minister.
'However, we are very conscious that Members of this House and the public have a keen and valid interest in the findings of the COI. Hence, the Government has decided to release the executive summary of the COI report to show that the COI had carefully considered all the issues.'
Mr Wong said he was 'shocked and disappointed' when first informed of Mas Selamat's escape. He was in Parliament that day answering questions when he got an SMS alert on his mobile phone that the JI detainee had bolted.
He acknowledged that the escape was a major setback for the Internal Security Department and the Home Affairs Ministry.
'It is a dark stain on the record of success which ISD has achieved in the fight against terrorism,' said Mr Wong
'All the more when the mistakes have turned out to be so simple as to appear silly and incredible,' he said. But he called for a 'fair and balanced' judgement on the ISD and Home Team personnel and urged Singaporeans who were angry and disappointed over the incident not to 'throw the baby out with the bath water'.
Mr Wong pointed out that it was the ISD which uncovered the clandestine JI terrorist network and its links to the Al-Qaeda in 2001. Before that, nobody had heard of the militant organisation.
He also credited ISA with thwarting 'an otherwise catastrophic attack' planned for early 2002 on Singapore when it disrupted the JI operational cells collaborating with Al-Qaeda operative Mansour Jabarah and JI bomb maker Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi, both of whom were later arrested by foreign governments.
'Even now, no doubt with morale sorely affected, the ISD and its officers continue to also pursue every lead and intelligence to further their counter-terrorism operations which have kept us all safe,' said Mr Wong.
But he hastened to add: 'Do not misunderstand me. I mention these facts not to absolve or excuse the ISD from responsibility for its officers' mistakes or lapses. I mention these facts because we need to be fair and balanced in our judgment.
'Yes, this episode of Mas Selamat's escape is a bad mistake and officers who did not carry out their duties as required will be held accountable.
'But ISD, the organization and the many dedicated and committed officers who continue to serve in it, are resolved to pick themselves, recover their spirits and move forward relentlessly in their national mission. We must support them in this.'
Read also: Confluence of 3 factors helped Mas Selamat to escape
Gone in 49 seconds
No evidence of collusion and help given to Mas Selamat
No one will face criminal charges for Mas Selamat's escape: CID chief
10 ways to beef up security at Whitley Road detention centre
DPM was answering questions in Parliament when escape alert came
References:
-The PDF version of the Executive Summary-The Ministerial statement pdf
Source:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_229567.html#
