Deadpoet’s Cave

Ok, I know everyone is more up to date with their Prison Break/Toilet Break witticisms regarding one Mas Selamat Kastari. I have been quietly observing what’s gone on and reading what’s been written the past week. So far, it has been one cock-up after another.

Unlike some articles in the Straits Times and letters from the public to the same paper, I believe we can stop patting ourselves on the back for banding together during this calamitous period. We should also be questioning the actions being taken and the statements being made, right here, right now, rather than have this “let’s concentrate on what is important - bringing him back into custody - rather than apportioning blame at the moment” sentiment.

I’ve had this niggling suspicion that all is not right. You see, the incompetence and lack of urgency that led to MSK’s escape, is going to help him stay on the loose. Today, I read in the papers what I think is the final straw.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) Wong said it was not made public earlier as the authorities needed to ascertain what Mas Selamat had with him when he fled.

Also, they did not want the public to have the ‘fixation’ with a particular attire as the fugitive could have already changed his clothes.

‘We believe he had all these items with him…but by now, he would be able to change into any attire,’ he said.

So, let’s recap:

• Four hours before alerting the public when early information could have helped. (We still have not been told how long it was between his escape and the time the staff at the detention centre realised he escaped.)
• A day or two before a proper description was available. (Flyers with his photo were pasted all over the place but did not have information about height and build.*)
• And after a few more days, a clarification that his supposed limp is only visible when he is walking fast or running.
• Finally, after a week, we know what he was wearing. Was being the operative word.

Does one week strike anyone as being an extremely long time to be absolutely sure about what he was wearing when he escaped? Doesn’t this detention centre have CCTVs? Don’t the guards have their eyes peeled?

If I am being unreasonable or nonsensical, please let me know because I am not anonymous, nor do I think I have crossed the line of morality and decency.

Blogging louts: BLOGGERS are having a field day. What is despicable is that some bloggers who take refuge under the cloak of anonymity or pseudonymity have crossed the line of morality and decency - Lionel De Souza in yesterday’s ST Forum.

The reason we are having a ‘field day’ is that there are so many questions and so few answers. The people want some real accountability. Not some petty claptrap argument alluding that pseudonymous criticism should be invalid.

UPDATE *Spotted new flyers during lunch, stating his height in bold. Older flyers with the limp information (pun intended) in bold are still to be found around though.

• Penrod Dean, the True Survivor
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