Security experts, who track the Jemaah Islamiah network closely, give their views on Mas Selamat Kastari's capture and what it means for Singapore and the region.
By
Teh Joo Lin & Zakir Hussain
Officers from the Special Operation Command (SOC) search through Upper Pierce Reservoir in 2008 to look for any sign of Mas Selamat. -- PHOTO: ZAOBAO
What help did Mas Selamat receive to escape and while on the run?
The escape appeared well planned, said Ms Sidney Jones of the International Crisis Group, with a likelihood that a route to get Mas Selamat to Malaysia was set up beforehand.
She also observed that his escape took place soon after two Indonesian Jemaah Islamiah (JI) leaders, Dr Agus and Abu Husna, made their way to Malaysia.
'I have no idea if there's a connection though,' she added.
Dr Jacob Ramsay of the Control Risks Group agreed that the escape route seemed well-planned.
'Just the fact that he avoided capture after escaping from Whitley Road Detention Centre would suggest that it was all pre-planned and a very good strategy to evade arrest, and with ties in Malaysia to help him out,' he said.
Dr Tim Huxley, executive director of the International Institute of Strategic Studies - Asia, said the circumstances of the escape might suggest a network in Singapore and Malaysia that provided aid, but that could be confirmed only during the interrogation process.
Why did he flee to and remain in Malaysia, and in particular, Johor?
The JI network in Johor is a very strong and resilient one, said Professor Rohan Gunaratna of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).
It was this network that was protecting Mas Selamat, he added.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.
