On Mas Selamat

I can't say that I'm happy with the verdict of a national scandal of such unprecedented magnitude and public outrage. C'mon people. A limping Islamist extremist suspect does a Michael Scofield on WRDC, sets up the potential for a future terrorist attacks, makes a laughing-stock of my country, and all our government does is punish nine individuals? (many of which are junior in rank).

Know whats really sad? That this isn't going to change the attitudes of people in the security scene (or rather, in government service) in the long run. I mean hey, remember the incident where this kid booked out with a SAR 21 to go shopping at Heeren? Different scenario, same deal. Ten years down the road, you'll still find men sleeping during guard duty, white-collar clock watchers waiting for the bell to ring, and uncles hoping to spend their remaining days in service with a government that gives out fat pensions.

I can turn a blind eye to the cockiness at the top, the bad investment decisions and the admin lapses that are ever so frequently associated with the people working under this shelter. But Mas Selamat escaping - this I cannot forget.

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