THE escape of Jemaah Islamiah (JI) leader Mas Selamat Kastari has understandably resulted in public criticism of Singapore's security agencies.

But Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar on Monday cautioned against letting 'this one episode' overshadow an important fact: the 'truly outstanding work' of the Home Team and Internal Security Department (ISD) in having kept Singapore safe and secure over the years.

They have staved off threats from extremist and terrorist groups such as the Japanese Red Army and Tamil Tigers, and more recently, broke up the local JI network, Professor Jayakumar, who is Coordinating Minister for National Security, said in his first comments since the escape of the JI militant on Feb 27.

He was speaking to some 60 security officials from the Asia-Pacific region at a closed-door conference in Sentosa.

As Prof Jayakumar noted: 'The hard reality you have to live with is that, whereas your mistakes will be noticed, most often your good work will go unpublicised and unrecognised.'

'Let us not forget that the ISD has a long record in keeping Singapore safe and secure,' he reminded.

'Since 1966, men and women from the ISD have dedicated themselves to fighting threats to Singapore?s domestic security.These threats have included the Communists, various communal and religious extremist groups as well as a number of international terrorist groups, including the Japanese Red Army, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE).'

He reminded that the ISD broke up the local JI network following a series of arrests starting in December 2001. Had these cells not been exposed in time, Singapore would have suffered disastrous consequences. Similarly, information that the ISD provided to foreign intelligence agencies had proven helpful to those governments, and resulted in arrests of terrorists abroad.

'Most of the time, however, the men and women of ISD work away from the public eye. They deal with sensitive security issues, as well as issues which affect our racial and religious harmony, and do their best to nip problems in the bud,' he said.

'Despite the current set-back, I have full confidence in their continued dedication to their duties, and their commitment to Singapore's security. A competent and professional organisation will learn from its mistakes and move on, stronger than before.'

In his speech, Prof Jayakumar acknowledged that Singaporeans, shocked and alarmed by the escape, had been critical of the Home Team and ISD because for the terrorist leader to escape, there must have been a serious security lapse at the detention centre where he was being held.

He did not want to speculate on on-going investigations and a committee of inquiry's probe into the incident, but said he was heartened that in the aftermath of the incident, Singaporeans came together in a common effort to locate Mas Selamat.

He noted that they had also been patient with the stepped up security, for instance at the immigration checkpoints - and that made the task of the security agencies much easier.

In commending those from the Home Team agencies who have been involved, Prof Jayakumar said they maintained a high level of vigilance and mounted sustained operations to re-capture the fugitive.

'ISD officers who have been working on the JI case must feel keenly, even more so than the public, what a serious setback Mas Selamat's escape has been. It is a blot on the security agencies' copybook, a dent in Singapore's reputation, and a reverse in keeping Singapore secure from terrorist attack,' he said.

'But the ISD officers have not been paralysed or demoralised. They are as determined now as they were seven years ago when they first identified the JI threat and took prompt action before the JI could perpetrate any terrorist acts in our country.'

'They have continued working patiently and resolutely with the detainees, their families, and the Malay community. These are critical yet delicate tasks, and the officers deserve our full support.'