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MAS Selamat's escape should not have happened.
But it did.
And for that, I am sorry.
Those were the words of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng in Parliament yesterday.
He explained to MPs how the incident had happened.
He said Mas Selamat was heading from his cell to the family visitation room where he was to wait for his family's arrival.
He then asked for permission to go to the toilet.
That was when he gave his guards the slip.
Said Mr Wong: 'This should never have happened. I am sorry that it has.'
He said an independent investigation was underway and no one should speculate on how the JI detainee had managed to flee the compound.
While reminding the House that Mas Selamat was a security threat, he reassured MPs that there was no information that he had any plans that threatened public security.
He added: 'Nevertheless, we are not taking any chances.'
After the escape, there was a lockdown of the Whitley Road Detention Centre and the hunt for him began.
Mr Wong added that security at all land, air and sea checkpoints had been tightened.
While urging the public to remain calm, Mr Wong also warned that anyone thinking of helping the fugitive evade capture would face serious consequences.
He said: 'Anyone who renders assistance to him is committing a grave offence.'
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