INDON MILITARY JOINS IN SEARCH FOR FUGITIVE MAS SELAMAT

March 5, 2008-Straits Times
By Salim Osman, Indonesia Correspondent In Jakarta
THE Indonesian military has joined in the search for the Singapore terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari by stepping up patrols along the border. Military chief Djoko Santoso said that the military had been activated to look out for the fugitive if he sneaks into Indonesia. 'It's too premature to say that he has slipped into Indonesia. But we are taking all precautions,' he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur where he was on an official visit on Tuesday. The military chief was quoted by Bernama as saying that he had not received any reports that the terrorist, who escaped from a detention centre in Singapore last wednesday, was in Indonesia. General Djoko said that tracking Mas Selamat and other terrorist suspects was the job of the police force in Indonesia. 'We are just cooperating with the police to hunt for fugitive as part of our responsibility,' he added. Besides stepping up patrols along the borders, the military is also conducting road blocks and checking the identities of people passing in the area, he said. He added that such a precaution was being taken as Mas Selamat was known to disguise himself when in Indonesia. His remarks followed that of Indonesian police chief, General Sutanto, who said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the Indonesian police were working closely with their Singapore counterparts in the manhunt. According to the Jakarta Post, the high-profile jailbreak has led to grumbling among the top brass of the Indonesian police. Former police spokesman, Inspector General Sisno Adiwinoto, said that Indonesia was forced to deal with most of the fallout from the escape. 'The Singaporean jail is known for its extra maximum security, so how was Mas Selamat able to flee? That is what we need to question. What is behind all of this,' asked General Sisno, who was installed as South Sulawesi police chief on Tuesday. He said that it would be difficult for Mas Selamat, the leader of the Singapore branch of the Jemaah Islamiah, to find shelter in Indonesia. 'There is no easy entry to Indonesia that he could get through. The security along Indonesian borders is very tight right now,' he said. Besides stepping up security, the Indonesian police have also circulated pictures of the fugitive across the country.