from wayang party:
EXPOSED: Malaysia still undecided on repatriation of Mas Selamat to Singapore contrary to ST reports
May 10, 2009 by admin
Filed under Daily Musings
Leave a comment
From The Informant Network Team
The Straits Times better get its facts properly checked with its counterpart in Malaysia first before publishing more hogwash about the capture of Mas Selamat to claim undeserved credit for Wong Kan Seng and the ISD.
In the past when there was no internet, it can afford to propagate half-truths and outright lies to hoodwink the public, but not now when Singaporeans can access Malaysian news easily on the web.
In an article with the misleading title “ISD provides crucial lead“, the Straits Times reported that “intelligence leads provided by Singapore’s ISD late last year played a key role leading to the arrest.” [source: Straits Times]
However, these were not the exact words of Mr Wong who said “the capture of the Singapore Jemaah Islamiah network leader was the result oft the strong co-operation between security agencies on both sides.”
Nowhere else in the article did it provide any evidence to corroborate its claim that the ISD was instrumental in the capture of Mas Selamat by the Malaysian Special Branch which was not substantiated by the Malaysian Home Affairs Minister either.
In fact, Datuk Hishamudin Hussien attributed his team’s success to the assistance given by the Indonesian authorities:
“Our ties with Indonesia are very strong and without Indonesia’s cooperation, I do not think we were able to make the arrest after his escape from Singapore.” [source: NST]
It is quite obvious from the above statement that the crucial lead was provided by Indonesia and not Singapore as loudly proclaimed by the Straits Times without supporting claims from the ISD itself.
The state media has also erroneously perpetuate the myth that the Malaysian authorities are going to extradict Mas Selamat to Singapore soon.
‘The Malaysian authorities want to interview him, and in good time he will be returned to Singapore…..When Mas Selamat is returned to Singapore, he will be sent back to Whitley Road Detention Centre“, Mr Wong said. [source: Straits Times]
However,
both Najib Tun Razak, the Malaysian Prime Minister and Hishamudin remain uncommittal to the extradiction of Mas Selamat:
“Will Mas Selamat be handed over to the Singapore authorities?”
“We will talk to the Singapore as well as the Indonesian authorities.” (Hishamudin’s reply)
[source: NST]
Asked whether there are plans to repatriate Mat Selamat back to Singapore, Najib said he will have to consult the matter with the police on this.
[source: NST]
So will Mas Selamat be handed over to Singapore? Why did Wong Kan Seng say so when Hishamudin did not promise anything?
Is this another “wayang” put up by Wong Kan Seng in order not to compromise “ongoing security operations”? Or is he totally clueless of what is going on?
If Wong Kan Seng has been keeping in contact with the Malaysian authorities, he should be informed that they have not confirmed if they will repatriate Mas Selamat.
As a Minister, how can he jump to baseless conclusions before he receive an official reply from Malaysia confirming the extradiction of Mas Selamat?
In view of the biased, distorted and fictitious reports which the Singapore media has been churning out on the capture of Mas Selamat to serve the vested interests of its political master, we urge all netizens to boycott Straits Times, CNA and Today and switch to the Malaysian media for a more objective, reliable and honest coverage.
www.nst.com.my
www.thestar.com.my
www.themalaysianinsider.com