News @ AsiaOne

More likely Mas Selamat has fled

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said that Mas Selamat Kastari might be hidden by sympathisers unknown to the authorities, but it was more likely that the fugitive has fled Singapore. -ST

Fri, Jan 16, 2009
The Straits Times

ALMOST a year after he escaped from custody, where is terror fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari?

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng narrowed it to either of two scenarios: one, he is in Singapore and hidden by sympathisers unknown to the authorities, or, two, he has fled the country.

Asked which was the more likely, Mr Wong told The Straits Times: 'It's very hard to say. Both scenarios are plausible. Maybe the second one is more plausible.'


Who is Mas Selamat Kastari?

  • He was Singapore's most wanted man when he was on the run from December 2001 to February 2006.
  • Former head of Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorist cell here.
  • Wanted to crash a hijacked plane into Changi Airport. Other targets: US personnel and naval vessels, the Defence Ministry, water pipelines from Malaysia, US Embassy and the American Club.
  • Joined Singapore JI around 1992. Had military training in Afghanistan in 1993. Returned in 1998 to study Taliban system of government.
  • After 2001 crackdown, went on run to different places in South-east Asia.
  • Arrested in Tanjong Pinang, Indonesia, in 2003. In and out of jail until final arrest in 2006 in Java. Deported to Singapore soon after that.


For more The Straits Times stories, click here.

 
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
 
 
Copyright ©2007 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn. No. 198402868E. All rights reserved.
Privacy Statement Conditions of Access Advertise