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Let's be rational, escape is a setback for all
Tue, Mar 04, 2008 The Straits Times
THE escape of Mas Selamat Kastari from Whitley Road Detention Centre because of a security lapse has put us in the international spotlight again. It came at a time when we were just celebrating the joyful news of winning the bid to host the first Olympic Games for the young of the world in 2010. I can understand the current sentiment, especially with regard to our law enforcement agencies. How could this have happened to a nation that boasts of a 'world-class' security force?

But while I agree the mistake is costly, I feel we should be rational in voicing our discontentment.

I do not think it is fair to exploit this opportunity to castigate unfairly our law enforcement agencies, which have done an excellent job in keeping us safe.

To err is human and let's move on from here.

We should be mindful of the efforts made by law enforcement agencies which are doing their best to salvage the situation.

This is a setback for all of us.

Mohammed Imran Mohammed Saleh