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SINGAPORE : The search for alleged JI leader of Singapore Mas Selamat Kastari will now become more targeted - based on specific intelligence on where he might be hiding.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng on Wednesday said information, from both local and foreign partners, showed that the wanted man is still in Singapore.
He said the foreign partners were the same ones which helped Singapore arrest Mas Selamat when he was hiding overseas in 2003.
It is therefore vital to work closely with them by having regular updates and keeping each other informed.
He gave this update after visiting the Mount Vernon Camp and meeting some 80 Gurkhas involved in the search.
Mas Selamat escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre one month ago.
He was detained under the Internal Security Act since 2006.
He was allegedly planning to crash a hijacked airplane into Changi Airport.
Police and SAF officers have been combing Singapore's forested areas since Mas Selamat escaped four weeks ago.
And the Gurkhas, like the ones the Minister met, have also been active and relentless in the manhunt.
Mr Wong said this systematic general search of wooded locations, including unoccupied buildings, should be completed in about one week.
He added: "If we still do not find Mas Selamat, then the search will go on to the next phase. The next phase will involve more targeted and specific operations based on leads and intelligence."
Going forward, Mr Wong said the deployment of large ground forces will be scaled down, but officers will remain ready to be activated.
Other operations such as security inspections at land checkpoints will continue.
He also acknowledged the congestion and inconvenience that resulted from stringent checks at the borders.
DPM Wong said: "ICA will work with all the stakeholders to explore practical ways to see how we can facilitate this movement and try to bring the congestion level back to as close as before the Mas Selamat escape."
Since Mas Selamat's escape, authorities have increased their sea patrol surveillance and this will continue.
Mr Wong said, if necessary, Singapore will amend its laws to strengthen policing within territorial waters.
This is to make sure that officers can detect and respond more effectively to any possible escape by sea.
When asked about the significance of the detention on 23 March of another JI member, Rijal Yadri Jumari, Mr Wong said it shows the JI threat is still present.
"While we're searching for Mas Selamat, we cannot neglect the other intelligence activities and operations and cooperation we have with other countries. That is a serious matter which all of us have to take into account."
He emphasised that the manhunt will continue for as long as it takes until Mas Selamat is captured. - CNA/ch/ac
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