Three Possible Factors Leading to Escape of Mas Selamat

On 27 Feb 2008, JI leader, Mas Selamat, escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre. He is still at large.

The Committee of Inquiry (COI) has made the below conclusion and presented three possible factors that led to the escape of Mas Selamat.

1. There was a physical security breach as the ventilation window in the toilet – from which Mas Selamat made his escape – did not have grilles.
2. The guards watching Mas Selamat allowed him to close the door of the urinal cubicle when they should not have done so.
3. There was a physical weakness in the perimeter fencing outside the Family Visitation Block, where the toilet was located, which made it easier for Mas Selamat to get out of the detention centre's premises.

Ministerial Statement by The Minister For Home Affairs Made in Parliament, 21 April 2008
http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1192

Executive Summary Section of the COI report
http://www.mha.gov.sg/get_news_file.aspx?file_id=910_ExecutiveSummarySectionoftheCOIreport.pdf