THE prospect of a terrorist attack here depends not just on what Singapore does, but also on how well Singapore and its neighbours work together so trouble can be nipped in the bud, Prime Minister Lee
Prevention of terror attacks is a tractable issue. Zero government transparency, accountability, and honesty will compound the effort to understand and neutralise the discontentment and desperation behind the acts of terrorism. Terrorists are not thrill-seekers.
I can imagine how easy for Mas Selamat to attack Singapore carrier from neighboring countries, assuming he's fled S'pore.
As a frequent flyer to neighboring cities such as Medan, Palembang, Yangon, etc, I am appalled by the slackness of the airport security staff in these cities… water bottle; hair spray bottle could easily miss staff’s detection when my hand-carry bag is screened.
What about check-in luggage and cargo? Do they screen them thoroughly? What are the chances of terrorists to plant a bomb in these items and explode SIA or Silk Air planes?
I wish it would never happen. If it happens, I wonder how our government would react? Will it simply say: “I am sorry, it has happened” just like Mas Selamat’s case.
Where is Mas Selamat?
'We don't know. He could be here, he could be overseas. We have tried our best to make sure that he doesn't go anywhere but short though our borders may be, they are difficult to watch all the time. Conceivably, he might have gone off but we don't know.
'What is the lesson out of this? Never let your guard down. We made a mistake. He's a very determined man and he was more alert and he outwitted us and outsmarted us and he's one up on us.
But the game is not over and one day we will catch him.'
PM Lee, replying to a question on where fugitive JI leader Mas Selamat Kastari could be.
With the rampant piracies along the Straits of Malacca,imagine how easy it is for a vessel to be hijacked or collaborated.With the terrorists onboard and passing by our shipping lane,deploying multiple fast dinghies and reaching shore at Sentosa,Marina bay,Clifford pier...etc...Can you imagine the consequences ? With our vast shorelines and the security concerns of our region,it is a possible scenario.Afterall, Mas Selamat can disappear so easily into the region....
One way to prevent terrorism is to prevent and not tolerate anyone who slander others' religion. its really no respect for others. Some minor religious group who are too aggresively promoting their religion hoping to recruit or convert more people into their religion are often too aggressive to the extent that they go against the country's peace and objective of promoting religious harmony. I personally feel offended that some of my christian "friends" said that "Buddhist pray ghost!". If I had recorded the statement, I would have done the same - report police!
December 06, 2008 Saturday, 03:12 AM
