THE escape of Mas Selamat Kastari is a huge mistake, but I do not believe that anyone should resign or be dismissed because of the incident, including those responsible for guarding him at the detention centre.

What is more important is the lesson learned, so that similar incidents do not happen again.

I believe that it is wrong for the top man or any staff member involved in the case to take the blame, as everyone makes mistake at some point or another during the course of work.

Otherwise, everyone would have to tender his or her resignation and change jobs very frequently.

Similarly, I think that it is not right for a chief executive officer of a company, for example, to be sacked over mistakes that they do not have control over, or to take the blame for the mistakes committed by other people.

Of course, the exception is when he or she is found guilty of corruption or when the person has an integrity problem.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Internal Security Department have so far done a superb job in keeping Singapore safe from terrorist attacks, and I would like to offer my appreciation for that.

We must not let one incident tarnish their good name and the good work that they have done.

Last but not least, the most important lesson we get from this incident is that all of us will become more vigilant in future.

We must learn from this mistake and move on with our lives.

Mr Ace Kindred Cheong Shiang Hoow

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