Or the fact that at somewhat the same time as the ‘great escape’ a tiny article in the London Financial Times commenting on the fact that Temasek is sitting on some $22B of ‘paper’ losses for recent investments in banks and the like?

I don’t know. Can the press enlighten us on this please?

Then also the theory that he has died cannot be discounted at all until he re-appeared. He could have died of natural causes, of mistreatment, of torture or even suicide. But the principal consideration for the govt is the political cost when he died while in custody – it will not be able to live down the controversy. His death can also be a rallying call to Mas supporters/fellow terrorists and harden their resolve.

The complete silence of the PM is another factor. If he was indeed coincidently receiving medical treatment then the timing of the Mas incident couldn’t have been worse. The PM did appear to be not in the best of health when he finally made some public appearances two weeks later – it was all over his face. Of course, this brings up the worrying implication for the country that it would be kept in the dark when its leader is actually sick. We have read and seen a lot of stories about how the US have a system to safeguard the nations ability to react effectively in time of crisis when illness/incapacity afflicts the President. I only hope for our sakes’ there is some procedure approximating this for Singapore.

Back to Mas Selamat. The rather non-chalant mannerism of the PM in his very first public statement as quoted in the media, regarding the escape gives rise to a few doubts in the public’s mind. Did Mas actually escape? Was he actually dead? Is in fact the govt is actually aware of his whereabouts? Is Mas really such a dangerous man or was he a fall guy? etc. The speculation can go on and on and on.

There will be no closure for the Mas Selamat saga as the Govt has barely gone beyond Denial! I don’t know if Kubler-Ross’ s stages of Grief is relevant here but after Denial, comes anger then bargaining and depression followed by Acceptance. There will not come any closure till someone takes personal responsility for such a catastrophic failure.

Right now, I don’t think they really care what people think, to be honest.

Whoever tries to tell us to move on is tantamount to telling us (the public and the
police and security personnel) to let down our guard and alertness in trying our
very best to help identify, detect and recapture Mas Selamat, and therefore
making a very serious mistake to allow him a breather to sneak out of Singapore
or to do something more serious and detrimental to the safety of lives and limbs.
As such, it is an irresponsible action which should never be condoned or
encouraged and should be nipped in the bud. Such irresponsible people should
be made to face and answer to the consequences in the event that Mas Selamat
manages to sneak out of Singapore or to cause damages to properties or harms
to life.

I was shocked when the news of Mas Selamat’s escape from ISD’s hands came
out on 27 Feb 2008. The shock magnified when I saw soldiers, policemen and
Gurkhas searching for Mas Selamat everywhere. Then I began to fear for my
life and that of my family members when I saw posters of Mas Selamat’s face all over Singapore. Then my fear and shock were aggravated further when the summary report of the Committee of Inquiry was read out by DPM Wong Kan Seng in parliament. Then the fear and shock became anger when I realized that Mas Selamat is stil not caught but left to roam freely within our country. Then I got even angrier when I read and heard people in authority to tell us to simply “move on”.

Whoever wants us to move on, you re-arrest or re-capture Mas Selamat first, please. That is the least you should do and that is the least any sensible people would expect you to do.

Comments edited by TOC moderator to remove cussing and swearing.