SM Goh says it's time to repair reputation after Mas Selamat's escape
By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 26 April 2008 1940 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Terrorist leader Mas Selamat Kastari's escape was thoroughly debated in Parliament earlier this week and Singaporeans are still talking about it.

While Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong acknowledged the debate's focus for many Singaporeans has shifted from how he escaped to the issue of accountability, he believes it is time to enter a "new phase of reflection and repair" and to move on.

Mr Goh made this point in his speech at his Marine Parade constituency function on Saturday.

He said Singapore will not learn anything from the episode unless the country reflects on what has happened and draw the right lessons.

SM Goh said: "We have to repair our reputation, both as a government as well as a country. Our reputation has suffered as a result of the escape of Mas
Selamat. But let's look for ways to repair that.

"We welcome the adversity in a way, that we are going through, and then rebuild our reputation. One way to do this is to make sure we are seen as being on top of other pressing challenges.

"If we are on top of these challenges, we can overcome problems others find difficulty in doing so, then we repair our reputation." - CNA/vm