Channel NewsAsia - Tuesday, October 20
SINGAPORE: Malaysia
has given Singapore’s Internal Security Department access to
captured Jemaah Islamiyah leader, Mas Selamat Kastari.
However, Mas Selamat remained defiant and uncooperative during
the interview. Mas Selamat is now in Malaysian custody after he was
captured in Johor in April.
Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, Associate
Professor Ho Peng Kee, gave this update in Parliament on
Monday.
He said: "He was however, uncooperative during the interview and
refused to talk. So (at) this point, ISD’s assessment is that he
remains defiant. Given Mas Selamat’s past records, we must be
realistic about what we can extract from a hard core terrorist like
him, in particular on the details of his escape.
"He may not reveal everything. Indeed, even if he does
eventually talk, we may have no way of confirming with certainty
everything that he says."
MP for Holland—Bukit Timah GRC, Christopher De Souza, said:
"What is the outcome of Mas Selamat’s family request for travel
documents to enable them to visit him in Malaysia?"
Associate Professor Ho said: "ISD is still considering the
request from the family members for travel documents. The passports
of Mas Selamat’s family members were seized in 2005 because of the
immigration offences.
"Moreover, the passport was also seized for security reasons as
Mas Selamat’s wife was a member of the JI’s women’s wing." —
CNA/vm
