I WOULD like to take a different angle on the Mas Selamat Kastari episode and focus on the potential negative impression of the future of Singapore - yes, our youth.

After the escape, many young Singaporeans must have been exposed to unflattering comments on the Internal Security Department and the Government in relentless posts on the Internet. There are many unfounded snide comments and even YouTube videos about government inadequacy. Many of these biased views are left unanswered.

Will youth view this as an admission of government folly rather than a calculated decision not to put other security operatives in jeopardy?

Colin Ong Tau Shien

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Apr 24, 2008.