Mas Selamat No Ordinary Criminal

"Mas Selamat Caught: No Ordinary Criminal..." this headline was take from The New Paper, May 18, 2009; page 2 & 3.

Dr Ahmad Nidzammudin Sulaiman, political science head from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) was quoted as saying that the alledged suspect from the Jemaah Islamiah escapee from Singapore, Mas Selamat:

"For somebody regarded as 'special of the special', Mas Selamat will receive maximum attention by the Malaysian authorities. He is considered a dangerous person.

It is no place for a determined and smart terrorist like Mas Selamat."

In my personal opinion, Mas Selamat is indeed very determined but not 'smart' as perceived by Dr Ahmad.

Mas Selamat Kastari is a born leader and is probably stubborn in nature (kepala batu or degil in Malay) and further more, he is from the old school terrorist, probably not that technology and IT savvy as he belongs to the Baby Boomer generation.

But he was trained in bomb making and guerrilla warfare tactics, having trained in Afghanistan and if he had ever served national service in Singapore with the army, most probably he may picked up jungle and urban warfare skills as well.

Dr Ahmad Nidzammudin perceived Mas Selamat Kastari as a dangerous individual, someone who is probably better off isolated in a secured detention center as opposed by Singapore's government stance (DPM Wong Kan Seng) that Mas Selamat Kastari should be 'rehabilitated' rather than incarcerated in prison because he haven't committed any crimes yet and there was no casualties, no fatalities and no losses or damages done yet.

Yeah, this dude is 'innocent' unless otherwise proven... are we that damn sure about it?

Wait for the first coordinated successful terrorism strikes then Singaporeans will wake up but by then damages of properties and assets and loss of lives would be too shocking for Singaporeans because the post recovery process will be painful and traumatic to handle...