HE knows machines, so keep an eye on your car.

Terrorist fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari is a trained mechanic and would be able to steal vehicles using his knowledge of motorised parts, said Assistant Commissioner Wong Hong Kuan.

Police believe Mas Selamat, 47, who has been on the run since last Wednesday, is still in Singapore and that he acted alone.

Asst Comm Wong also said Mas Selamat's limp in his left leg is evident only when he walks briskly or runs. Otherwise, his gait appears normal.

He had escaped through a toilet at the detention centre in Whitley Road, during a visit by his family.

Speaking to reporters at the Special Operations Command, Queensway Base yesterday morning, Asst Comm Wong said Mas Selamat could have stolen a vehicle after escaping from the detention centre at Whitley Road.

So anyone who discovers their vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles, missing, should make a police report immediately.

It is also possible that Mas Selamat may resort to stealing food, clothes and money as well.

So the public should watch out for such incidents and inform the police, he said.

Given that it has been more than 90 hours since his flight, Mas Selamat could already have changed his physical appearance, using disguises such as sunglasses, headdresses or caps, noted the police.

He noted that the fugitive could be unstable after being on the run for days.

Hence the public should not approach him if he is seen.

Instead, the public should call the police and report his location, clothes and hairstyle.

They should also note the direction he is heading in, the items he is carrying and his headgear, if any.

Since the manhunt began, the police have received more than 330 calls and e-mails about Mas Selamat.

One tip-off sparked off a massive search in Bukit Batok Nature Park on Friday night.

Involving hundreds of officers from the Special Operations Command and the Gurkha contingent, the hunt lasted till Saturday morning.

NO TIP TOO SMALL

Asst Comm Wong said all information and feedback is taken seriously, and that no tip-off is too small to chase down.

Posters with photographs and descriptions of the escapee have already been given out so the public can help keep an eye out for the man.

Asst Comm Wong also urged the public to 'err on the side of caution' if they think they see someone resembling the JI leader

He said: 'Even if they are unsure of what they see...they should still call us. Every second counts. Even if it later turns out to be a false alarm, it is okay.'

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng announced yesterday that a three-member Commission of Inquiry has been set up to investigate the escape.

He said: 'There is an independent police investigation to look into whether any criminal wrongdoing has been committed.

'We should not speculate that there is but we must not rule out any possibilities.'

He said investigators have already interviewed Mas Selamat's family.

Mr Wong vowed that no stone will be left unturned in tracking down Mas Selamat.

Extensive land, sea and air searches have so far involved more than 1,000 policemen, soldiers and Special Operation Command forces.

Mas Selamat took over the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorist cell here in 1999.

He once plotted to hijack a plane and crash it into Changi Airport, and had been detained in Singapore since 2006, under the Internal Security Act.

This article was first published by The New Paper on Mar 3, 2008.

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