SINGAPORE: Malaysia has given Singapore’s Internal Security Department access to captured Jemaah Islamiyah leader, Mas Selamat Kastari.
However, Mas Selamat remained defiant and uncooperative during the interview. Mas Selamat is now in Malaysian custody after he was captured in Johor in April.
Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, gave this update in Parliament on Monday.
He said: "He was however, uncooperative during the interview and refused to talk. So (at) this point, ISD’s assessment is that he remains defiant. Given Mas Selamat’s past records, we must be realistic about what we can extract from a hard core terrorist like him, in particular on the details of his escape.
"He may not reveal everything. Indeed, even if he does eventually talk, we may have no way of confirming with certainty everything that he says."
MP for Holland—Bukit Timah GRC, Christopher De Souza, said: "What is the outcome of Mas Selamat’s family request for travel documents to enable them to visit him in Malaysia?"
Associate Professor Ho said: "ISD is still considering the request from the family members for travel documents. The passports of Mas Selamat’s family members were seized in 2005 because of the immigration offences.
"Moreover, the passport was also seized for security reasons as Mas Selamat’s wife was a member of the JI’s women’s wing." — CNA/vm
