SM Goh Chok Tong on the Re-arrest of Mas Selamat Kastari
Comments by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on the re-arrest of Mas Selamat Kastari on 10 May 2009.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who is currently warded in the Singapore General Hospital for chicken pox, made the following comments on the re-arrest of Mas Selamat Kastari:
“Despite Mas Selamat’s re-arrest, the threat of terrorism remains very real. The fact that he was able to swim away despite our tightened border security following his escape from Whitley Road Detention Centre shows that it is not impossible for a very determined and trained terrorist to enter or leave Singapore undetected.
From my hospital room, I am reminded that in terms of vigilance, fighting terrorism is like fighting an external virus like SARS or Influenza A (H1N1). Notwithstanding our best efforts, an external terrorist or deadly virus may slip through our borders. Nevertheless, the best defence against terrorism is constant vigilance and having a domestic environment that is hostile to it.”
SM Goh is expected to be discharged later this week.
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PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
SINGAPORE
10 May 2009
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