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KUALA LUMPUR - An Islamic militant described as Singapore's most wanted man has been detained under Malaysian security laws for a two-year term, state media reported Wednesday.
Mas Selamat bin Kastari, the alleged head of the Singapore cell of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) which has links to Al-Qaeda, was captured in Skudai, Johor in April after being on the run for more than a year.
The 48-year-old escaped from his high-security detention centre in Singapore in February 2008 by squeezing through a toilet window and climbing over a fence, triggering a huge manhunt. He reportedly used an improvised floatation device to cross the narrow strait which separates Singapore from Johor state.
The state Bernama news agency said Mas Selamat has been detained for a two-year term under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without trial.
"(He) will be detained for two years under the ISA in the Kamunting detention camp," it quoted an unnamed source familiar with his capture as saying.
Bernama said any extradition proceedings with Singapore would be discussed only after the two-year term had been completed.
Malaysia's Prime Minister, Najib Razak, confirmed reports that Mas Selamat had been detained under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA).
"This is Malaysia's decision. He is a threat to Malaysia's security, that is why he has been detained. Obviously, he's a threat to Singapore and Malaysia," he told a press conference.
Mr Najib said Malaysian authorities needed to extract "more information" from Mas Selamat and downplayed suggestions that Singaporean authorities would be anxious to have him in their custody.
"Singapore expected us to detain him," he said.
Responding to media queries, Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry said Singapore understands and respects the need for the Malaysian authorities to detain Mas Selamat for two years.
It added that Singapore will let the Malaysian authorities decide when Mas Selamat would be sent back to the Republic.
"While under detention, Mas Selamat will be undergoing a rehabilitation programme which will include debating with religious experts on Islam," said the sources.
It is learned that an ordinary JI member, Abdul Matin of Ulu Tiram, who was picked up in April, is also being held for two years under ISA.
According to another source, a villager, Johar Hassan, who was arrested for renting his house in Kampung Tawakal to Mas Selamat had been placed under restricted residence.
Johar has to make periodical visits to the nearest police station and is not allowed to leave his house at night. He must seek permission if he wants to leave the district. - AFP/BERNAMA/CNA/vm
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