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MHA will render full account
Carolyn Quek & Diana Othman Wed, Mar 19, 2008 The Straits Times
THE headline, 'Some findings about escape won't be revealed' in Monday's Straits Times, is misleading. This, in fact, is in contrast to the ST Online version which bore the headline, 'Govt to make public details of how Mas Selamat escaped', posted on Sunday at 3.53pm, which correctly conveyed what Mr Wong Kan Seng said. What Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong said to the media on Sunday after the constituency visit was this: 'When the COI (Committee of Inquiry) completes its inquiry, we will give a full account on how Mas Selamat escaped and what has been done to prevent another escape.' What will not be made open to the public are the sittings of the Committee of Inquiry. Mr Wong had explained to reporters that why the Committee of Inquiry cannot be conducted in public is due to the sensitive nature of Whitley Road Detention Centre (WRDC). Let me reiterate the explanation for your readers.

An inquiry into a sensitive installation like WRDC will not be held in public, whether it is a Committee of Inquiry appointed by the Minister or a Commission of Inquiry appointed by the President.

This is because the nature of the inquiry requires a thorough examination of the detention, security, investigation and intelligence-gathering functions of the centre. Exposing these details would compromise the confidentiality necessary for security investigation and intelligence work, and render them ineffective.

In short, what is more important is to provide the Committee of Inquiry with unrestricted access for a rigorous, thorough and comprehensive inquiry. Conducting the inquiry in closed chambers ensures this.

Even though the inquiry is conducted in closed chambers out of necessity, we have stated clearly that we will give a full account of how Mas Selamat Kastari escaped.

Toh Yong Chuan
Press Secretary to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs