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2003-02-04 Southeast Asia

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Posted by Steve 2003-02-04 08:00 am|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 More details on Mas Kastari from the Straits Times:
MAS Selamat Kastari was perhaps the most dangerous member of the Jemaah Islamiah's (JI) Singapore cell at large - till yesterday.
Hot-headed, elusive and on the run since Singapore authorities foiled a plan to blow up American, Israeli and other targets here in December 2001, he was bent on revenge. The White Paper on the JI arrests says that he discussed various plots with Hambali, Al-Qaeda's man for South-east Asia and JI's operational chief, to 'retaliate against the Singapore Government for the disruption of JI'. After fleeing Singapore - with four others - Mas Selamat organised the 'international branch of JI-Singapore', terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna told The Straits Times. Not too much is known of his early years, but Hambali handpicked him to head the JI-Singapore cell. Mas Selamat took over as the qoaid wakalah (leader) in 1999, from Ibrahim Maidin - who founded the JI Singapore cell and continued as its spiritual leader after Selamat fled. Maidin is in custody here, along with 30 other JI members. Dr Gunaratna said: 'Mas Selamat played an important role in the planning and preparation of the attacks in Singapore.'
To some, what is worrying is his arrest in Bintan.
Boston-based security analyst Zachary Abuza said: 'Some part of the unaccounted explosives are said to have been shipped to Bintan. It wouldn't surprise me if one of the officials disclosed that Mas Selamat was planning not to lie low any more. 'He knows bomb-making and was keen to take jihad to different levels in South-east Asia.' --Shefali Rekhi

Posted by Steve 2003-02-04 10:00:43|| 2003-02-04 10:00:43|| Front Page Top

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