Gerald Giam
Malaysia cleans up the mess. Singapore takes the credit – shamelessly.
“DEPUTY Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng commended the Internal Security Department (ISD) officers for going all out to track down the escaped terror leader Mas Selamat, who was eventually caught in Malaysia on April 1.”
- Straits Times, 8 May 2009
Firstly let me state that I am glad that Mas Selamat has been captured. I thank the Malaysian police for their excellent work in capturing the fugitive. Malaysian Home Minister Hishamuddin said that they arrested him under the ISD because he was plotting something, which means they not only caught the JI leader who escaped from under Singapore’s nose, but possibly managed to thwart a planned terrorist attack.
I am, however, appalled that the Singapore mainstream media and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng would go to the extent of congratulating themselves and taking credit for Mas Selamat’s arrest by the Malaysians. Instead of acting with a bit of humility and contrition, the Singapore Government has attempted to turn the tables on their “setback” and praise itself for the re-arrest of the alleged terrorist mastermind.
It should be pointed out that this is actually the second time that a neighbouring country has helped us nab the same man. Mas Selamat had escaped the first time in 2001 just before the first wave of JI arrests.
I’m sure MHA felt that this would be a PR coup for them, and that Singaporeans will queue up to congratulate the good work of the government if it blew its trumpet enough. Of course, reading the mainstream media, one would be forgiven for thinking this was the case.
“Minister’s hail arrest” – Straits Times
“ISD provides crucial lead” – Straits Times
“Singaporeans cheered by news of Mas Selamat’s arrest” – TODAY/CAN
“With Singapore downgrading from Orange to Yellow Alert for the flu virus, I think this comes as great news.” – a teacher quoted by TODAY
“Sources said that it was the Singapore ISD that gave the Malaysians the lead on Mas Selamat’s trail. If so, the department, which has come under the heaviest fire, has redeemed itself.” – Straits Times
I really wonder what Singaporeans really think?
Personally, I think this would be a most appropriate time for the Minister to apologise for all the worry, inconvenience and trouble caused to both Singaporeans and his counterparts in Malaysia and Indonesia for ISD’s slip up. It is not the time for praising the ISD for doing their job.
I am also surprised that Singapore decided to go public with the news of the arrest even before the Malaysians did. Obviously the Malaysians had a reason to keep the arrest under wraps for almost 1 1/2 months. I’m not sure if they were prepared to go public yet. If they were, I’m sure given the extreme political fire the BN government is under (Perak crisis, by-elections results, Altantuya case, etc) they would have badly wanted to boast about this capture to their own people.
I would have thought the gracious and diplomatic thing to do would be to let the Malaysian government announce the arrest and take some credit for it. At a minimum, it should have been announced jointly, rather than having Malaysians hear about it from the Straits Times.
You see, this is why Malaysians get so irritated with us all the time. Then we wonder why, and just retort that they are jealous of us. Yeah, I guess the Malaysians are “jealous” we have such an effective secret police, who are able to get others to clean up after the mess they created.
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Expect our government to put up a big sign “Selamat Datang” on our causeway when MSK, inside our convoy with ISD, SOC and gurkhas, drive through! We should put MSK in Tekong to teach our NS guys the art of survival. Am sure the island is far better than the Malaysia prison he is in. Whitley Road Detention Centre is too comfortable and he may plan another escape!
If the information was purely obtained from ISD, then I wonder how they got that information. Did it appear as writing on the wall (ghost writers?), did it appear suddenly somehow as to preclude any form of human intervention to the point that the information was and can only be concluded to have origins in the ISD office and staff?
Strange but true.
“While Malaysia appears to be under no hurry to turn Mas Selamat over to Singapore, Minister Hishammuddin denied that the story was leaked by Singapore in order to put pressure on the Malaysian authorities to do so. If they were, Malaysia will stop cooperating with its southern neighbour.”
I think Gerald you were too premature is claiming we try to steal their thunder. Please do more research before writig your stories
“KUALA LUMPUR: Fugitive suspected Singaporean terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari has been arrested by Malaysian police.
It is learnt the fugitive, who escaped from a Singapore maximum security detention centre on Feb 27, 2008 was arrested in Johor together with two others by Special Branch officers following intelligence sharing between the police forces of Indonesia and Singapore.
”
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/05/sharing-of-information-between-3-countries-led-to-mas-selamats-arrest-star-online/
I will whack governmetn any day but TOC is becoming like eugene yeo and gang. Attack over every small wording when clearly as captured in your own blog you know 3 countries were involved
Many of you miss the point. For a guy like MSK to escape from detention then blend in to local surroundings and evade the dragnet of law enforcement island wide as well as Malaysian and Indonesian Authorities on the other side of Singapore’s Border’s he surely did have help and assistance, or that he already had a escape plan laid out long before 2006 arrest.
The delay in releasing to the media or public was to continue with their followup operations to arrest all those who did help him in one way or another. If one looks backs to reports in March and April, there was a few Malaysian human smugglers using speed boats to cross into Singapore’s borders. Its surely related in some way or another that MSK was working with human smugglers thats why he did have to flee far from Singapore and remained in Skudai, Johor.
It would have been easier for him to flee to Indonesia from Malaysia and hide in many remote places and islands but with the human smugglers with already a network and financed operations from illegals who avail their services to enter or exit Singapore’s borders was a opportunity for him to get back to his scheming ways again. This group of human smugglers are not in any way classified as JI or Islamic fundamentalist. This was a good camouflage for MSK to remain especially near to Singapore’s border and plan another hit on Singapore or Singaporeans.
When Mas Selamat escaped from the detention centre it is most likely that he went to his kinsmen or relatives and that is an area that one should focus on in an investigation into how he managed to hide for so long.
Then in Malaysia it is also a case a case of kinsmen and if it is not, then same ethnic ties. Or looking for his same ethnic friends.
Now, with his arrest and interrogation and surely one can find out how and whether he used his kinsmen in sing to evade police detection.
By means of such tracings one can have a picture of his brilliant evasion and determine what had gone wrong and the role of kinship in abetting his hiding – blood is thicker than water.
Then if kinship ties are so strong then one might think of putting a cessation to family visits and keeping the members of his close kinsmen under surveillance.
This is not what the military in the world world call a debriefing or what lesson can we learn fro such a case but it is also to revamp the whole security of detention of terrorists.
Can we learn from other countries on how they prevent terrorists from escaping.
Obviously, the sing people are a naive lot and Mas was smart enough to see the toilet window as his golden opportunity, an indication that his escape IQ is very high.
1) Singapore’s ISD found out about these SG terroist in 2001 after the Americans found some tapes in Afganistan during their WAR ON TERROR.
2) Then ISD captures some of them and let some slip, one of them is Mas Selamat.
3) Indonesia captures him and lets him slip then recaptures him and hands him over to ISD…
4) They let him escape again.
5) Malaysia captures him. This time they wil keep him there. No Bargain, Not This Time.
ISD is more keen on following what Singaporeans do, especially those who are opposing the establishments. But I guess now things will be changing. I think there will be pressure from all around to work better.
But this is a good laugh….Singapore ISD trying to take credit.
The MSB in Malaysia is a superb orgainisation, not just for these arrest. They have done plenty before and they clearly know what’s going on in their counrty.
I have heard so much about them, that you know these guys are very honourable and would never even get public credit for what they do.
As we all know how dangerous Malaysia can be…imagine working and gathering info….they are the real heroes.
Lets salute them and Thank Them. Remeber when you go over to Malaysia the next time. Be Nice.
Just a thought – Perhaps they’re not tussling over MSK but the $1 million reward. Possible?
The whole of Malaysians ISD, Ministers must be laughing their pants off when Mas Selamat revealed how he escaped from S’pore.
How s’pore forces + ministers + gurkhas + public + “terrorist experts” cannot even catch a limping man.
If Mas Selamat swam across to Johor, it showed s’pore immigration officers, marine polices & s’pore navy are sleeping.
Malaysian current Home affair minister Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein (Age: 48) has showed & proven he is must more capable than Wong K S (Age: 63).
The arrest incident Won’t justified Wong K S & his gangs.
Ah Wong…..time for you to resign & catch spider at home
What is our country capable of is very questionable. Well, is it capable of claiming credits, capable of brushing everything away thinking that people will not remember it, or capable of getting first hand info and snatch the lime light of others.
I fully agree that they should stand out and admit the fact that our country did not managed to keep a dangerous prisoner well and also capturing him back. Our government really need to think hard on whether those elites live up to their standards in holding their job or a next better party should take over the position.
Why 勉强 and caused no 幸福 to us civilians and the nation???
Now i really wonder if the Malaysia Government are laughing at us on this??
49) ArtReach –
I wrote this article not to bash the Singapore Govt, but to nip the sickening self-congratulatory statements and reporting in the bud. If you re-read Friday’s ST, you’ll notice that about 3 out of 4 of the headlines are about how ISD helped nab MSK. Yes they mentioned the Malaysians’ role (they can’t escape from that), but were more intent on praising ISD for simply doing their job. That to me is unacceptable political spin.
I don’t deny that some ISD officers may have sniffed something and conveyed them to the Malaysian police, but that doesn’t mean that the organisation has “redeemed themselves”! You redeem yourself by saying sorry and asking for forgiveness, not by congratulating yourself for helping others to clean up your own mess.
In any case, I respect (and agree with) your opinion that ISD provided useful info, but I’ll quote a comment that a friend sent to me:
“I’m normally very pro-govt but even I think that the wayanging about ISD on the front pages is a little inappropriate”.
54) legoman –
What do you expect Hisham to say? That he was indeed under pressure to confirm the arrest because of Singapore? In fact, I think his second statement (“If they were, Malaysia will stop cooperating with its southern neighbour”) sounds like a final warning to us to stop pressuring them to return MSK.
I don’t blindly whack the govt. But this reaction from WKS and ST is unacceptable. The level of hubris is revolting.
Dear all, there are just too much complains by fortunate Singaporeans. I don’t see any reasons for complains on the re-capture of Mas Selamat.
Think twice when you think of bashing the government again when you look at the lives of the citizens in your neighbouring countries. We have jobs here, no constant wars, no riots, no genocide and less poverty than countries around us. This island to me is still a miracle build up by Mr Lee Kuan Yew over forty plus years. There are simply no jobs for people in our neighbouring countries and they were always forced to go into the sex industry, male and female. Its not they enjoyed it but there is really no choice. However, people with money would always like to exploit them with their money.
I have to pay about 1%plus this year for my income tax and when compared to the developed countries, I feel happy just paying that small percent. Fyi, the Great Britain plans to impose 50% income tax on their wealthy citizens. The US despite their high tax rate, are thinking of ways to fix their tax loopholes. For example, Mr Obama and the Treasury are thinking of taxing on overseas income earned by American companies. Their housing policies are a complete disaster. Many owe more loans on their homes than what their homes currently worth. Government interfering with the markets. The 19 banks stress-test are more for propaganda in my view as the results are not transparent and lack significant details. All these are forms of Socialism.
I just find theres too much government bashing going on here in this website. This shows the ignorance of some Singaporeans, hopefully small minority. Please reflect.
Alamat Mas Selamat ESCAPE TWICE NOT ONCE!
He escape from the detention camp which was supposed to be
highly secured and he swam across the water from Singapore to
Johore where marine police are suppose to be in active patrol
against illegal immigrants and smugglers!
I just don’t believe it all the talks about security!
Our government should stop doing this sort of credit claiming, it does not help the case. Firstly, Malaysia wont appreciate. They do the hard work and we claim credit, this sort of politicking is unwarranted. I see government agencies doing all these credit claiming quite often, and when mistakes happen, they just brush aside or ask us to move on. Claim credit very swift but to admit mistake,almost rarely or never.
Like they say, self praise is no praise.
“It should be pointed out that this is actually the second time that a neighbouring country has helped us nab the same man. Mas Selamat had escaped the first time in 2001 just before the first wave of JI arrests.”
I think this sentence is a bit harsh. Since he was in a soveriegn country that our security forces cant operate in (unlike the USA, we dont have a CIA in Singapore), it is not surprising the work of the local police were needed to capture him.
Overrall I agree with your general sentiment that MHA was too quick to claim SOME credit in his capture. But I think we should not forget to say a quick silent thanks that our family may be a little safer because of MSK’s arrest.
Stay safe everyone!
“Our government should stop doing this sort of credit claiming”
It is part of the vicious cycle: the more the gahman avoid to admit their mistakes, the more people enjoy poking at their mistakes, and the more they gahman want to avoid…
But serisouly I think people dislike them not admitting to mistake than claiming credit.
MSK is recaptured!! Whats up with all the doom and gloom.
Sometimes i get the feeling that some people secretly wish he flies a plane into the Changi Airport control tower just so they can cry mother cry father and blame the government and ISD.
To Gerald – It was the MSM and this correspondent lopez that caused the leak of information. So if anything, the MSM spins one extreme so you can spin the other. Life is not so simple my friend.
For the press to publish the fact that ISD had given the critical info that led to the arrest does not make that credit grabber. We did thank the Malaysian counterparts who worked on the lead and capture him. We need the Malaysian police cos we cannot simple send our officers over and get him ourselves right? It is their jurisdiction and we have to respect that.
I am not siding anyone but just feel that due credit should be accorded. There is absolutely no reason for ISD to claim credit as they know they are only making good an earlier mistake. To me, they have just redeemed themselves, that’s about all.
63) Gerald
WKS actually didn’t say much. It is actually The Straits Times who said ISD has redeemded itself.
I don’t see anything wrong for WKS to tell us that ISD has provided the lead and that ISD officers has gone all out to track down the escaped terror leader. In fact, I would be very surprised and upset if they have not done so.
If people get the impression that ISD has taken credit while Malaysia did the job for us, it is the Straits Times who created the impression. Take issue with the Strait Times reporters.
I read the content and what exactly the people concerned said and not what other people have re-phase it for them.
I expected WKS to quit to take personal responsibility for Mas Selamat’s escape. He didn’t, I was disappointed but I will not fault him this time for praising ISD. I don’t know much about what ISD officers and staff are doing but this I know- they work quietly to protect us from terror threats.
Actually, Gerald made a leap of faith in thinking that Singapore played Malaysia out. Who knows? Maybe Malaysia is returning the favour this round to some other previous back-scratching. The former diplomat should not have ruled out this possibility.
I think the general sentiment is – Good that we’ve got him. Be Really Thankful that we have a good police force in Malaysia and that they are really supportive of the situation. Its about time the governing party show us that they’re worth the money we’re paying them. If there is a blunder, its good that they’ve done some damage control, although we’re wondering – all the tax payer’s money going to something which could have been prevented. And – there is no accountability as yet – the firing of some lower ranking officers won’t suffice for a major blunder.
Also the successful escapes begs the question of the lack of security along the coastline.
Goog work done by msia..current ISD officers should be replaced with better officers so that singaporean will again put sum trust on the Dept..ISD officers really let down our govt..Cos of u guys c how much insult our govt had to face..Transfer current ISD officers mayb as condo security and place new and better officers.. Our govt has do do it soon and give us a better singapore to live in..
Pls guys dont comment bad remarks on our govt cos of the careless ISD officers..Have some faith on our govt..Mr WKS had done so much for us all tis while, pls dont forget that..Have sum respect on him.
ISD down down..ISD down down
Minister WKS is a shame to Singapore !!
1. breach of security at the Whitley Detection Centre
our ISD guys has failed to detect & capture him immediately within the ISD vincinity
2. breach of security in Singapore
our police has failed to capture him in Singapore
3. breach of security at our border
our coastal police has failed to capture him on sea
All under the leadership of WKS !!!
We the citizens still do and always will have trust on Mr WSK for all the great job done to protect us and our country..We will never condam him cos of sum lazy officers..We still remember all the hard work he put all tis yrs n just a mistake done by ISD we cant forget his past hard work..
We will always stand by him no matter wat others comment..Proud to have him as our leader now and always..
Great work all tis yrs…. BRAVO
dear netizens, we should be fair to the police and ISD.
it is our political leaders fault for the comedy of errors leading to Mas limping out
of prison and also out of S’pore.
looking back in time, we can see far greater emphasis being placed on fixing political opponents i.e. tracking, containing and detaining the latter, who are basically outspoken but with no intention of harming the general public.
this may have affected the mindset and performance of our police and ISD when they switch their attention to crafty men like Mas.
about time SPF and ISD focus on criminals and terrorists, stay out of PAP’s politicking, then I believe both will do their jobs better.
can PM Lee and WKS do this ? …..lol
64) Ghim Moh resident -
You have completely missed the point as much as those anti-government bashers here.
I wonder how long it will take for the naive Singaporeans to stop parroting what the government has been preaching on how “fortunate” Singaporeans are because they still have jobs, they are more well to do as compared to people of other neighbouring countries, there are no constant wars, no riots, no genocide, etc. Why are we not comparing ourselves with countries like Sweden and Switzerland?
As you are feeling “happy” because you are only paying 1% of income tax, you are probably one of those who doesn’t think paying for hundreds of thousands to own an “affordable public housing” which we call “home” is expensive, even though this will ultimately not be yours, or even your descendants, because the title deed is only valid for 99 years. Money doesn’t go out of our pockets into pockets of the state fund through income tax ONLY.
I rest my case.
WKS should “shut up and sit down”
Quick to take credit…even quicker when it comes to shifting blame… lol…
I am very embarrassed by this!
TAKEN FROM BERNAMA: “Although we did exchange intelligence, the operation to trace and capture Mas Selamat was carried out fully by the Malaysian police.
“Foreign agencies cannot carry out any intelligence operation in the country,” he said.”
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So the source revealed what we all suspected. Singapore provide intell, Malaysian followup on it – lets move on :)
the entire moral of the story is that anyone can suga suga come in & go out, no need custom queue or show passport, just transport in a float enough.
79) depresso on May 10th, 2009 11.45 pm
64) Ghim Moh resident -
I seconded your view depresso. As compared to Animal Farm, I find that we have a lot of “Boxer” class citizen in Singapore, who are contented with what they have at the moment, ignorant of those who are suffering as it got nothing to do with them. If mishaps really strike them, then they starts to wake from their la la land and regret, but it will be too late…
I also find that they are quick to quote on the problems face by poorer neighboring countries, and choose to ignore others which are better than us. These people seem to be living in their own shell. They are most likely selfish in their thinking, and always hoping that disaster should only betroth upon everyone except them. After that, they can start to rave about how fortunate and blessed they are as compared to those around them.
Come to think of it, I could not blame them actually, as this is the mindset and concept that Singaporean are being brainwash with. Our governments are always using the same method to do comparison… selecting those less well-off countries when we want to compare standard of living, selecting those first-world countries when comparing income taxes, and again choose to ignore the fact that there are a bunch of other hidden taxes in our daily spending.
Another example is on our wages which is always compared to neighboring countries as better, but choose to ignore the fact that our living expenses are higher, and there are also other countries with better wages.
How come our inflation is less than double digit, when my bowl of wanton noodle increases from $2.50 to $3, which is a 20% increase? Basically the same concept at work here, allocating a smaller % on necessities while a bigger portion of the calculation is assign to other products that does not inflate that much within that period.
It makes me wonder if we are like what the 90.5 radio advertisement has said, “HEAR ONLY THE NICE THINGS”? It also makes me wonder if Singaporean are so into their comfort zone that only a rude jolt is able to bring them out of their dream world into the real one.
Whooaaaa…
Why don’t we get MSK back so he can teach our NDU, STAR and Commando/Army SOF water survival and E & E? Perhaps we can also name buildings in Home Team Academy MSK Hall or even WKS Hall. Some angry NS Guardsman I know even suggest the term costal hook to be renamed MSK Hook.
Another raise of pay for our…………… *sigh*
Aiyoohhhh..
there are no bad cops, just bad leader (WKS) la!