http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20101124-248814.html
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20101122-248574.html
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20101122-248548.html

When the leader of Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terror network's Singapore cell, Mas Selamat Kastari was finally nabbed on 11 April 2009 after the prison escape, the whole of Singapore returned back to the happy and peaceful state without fearing running into the most wanted criminal of Singapore. However, this peace of news didn't lasted for very long till news on details of Mas Selamat's escape was made known.

The main culprits for assisting Mas Selamat to escape the search of the local cops were none other than his grown-up niece, Nur Aini bte Asmom and his brother Asmom. Nur Aini was apparently the one who let Mas Selamat into the flat. Despite her mother Aisah had reservations about allowing Mas Selamat into the flat. Nur Aini, however, persuaded her mother to allow Mas Selamat to enter the flat. She then allowed him to use her bedroom, provide him food and water, and also assist him by destroying material evidence, namely the clothing he wore to the flat, which included his WRDC-issued attire. Whereas his brother Asmom gave him S$100 and RM100 to facilitate his escape from Singapore to Malaysia. He also gave Mas Selamat some traditional medicine which the latter kept in his backpack.

For harbouring and aiding Mas Selamat Kastari after his escape from Whitley Road Detention Centre, Nur Aini and her parents were given jail sentences between three to 18 months. The breaking news of this entire news was that Mas Selamat's niece Nur Aini bte Asmon was actually a local Malay language teacher. For aiding Mas Selamat to escape, Miss Nur Aini bte Asmon might have to face with disciplinary action, "including dismissal, against teachers who have been charged and convicted in court for a criminal offence."

My response:
Was it right that Nur Aini and her family was punished for aiding the escape? I personally feel that it is utmost right because without enforcing law and order in a country, the country will never prosper. When the country never prosper, the country will suffer in the long run. Therefore, having peace and order in a country is always essential and important to the different aspects of developing a country.

Linking back to the article, i feel that to prevent external threats from posing a threat to Singapore, Singaporeans and the economy, i feel that the government should increase the minimum education level for all citizens. Because only with sufficient education level and a broadened perspective, then making of wise and correct decisions will come into the picture. With misinterpretation of words and perception, it will definitely be tricky to tackle threats.

I personally feel that Singapore is currently facing too many problems of social unrest after many injured incidents in the recent month. Stricter control and regular patrols of crowds might be required to put all these mishaps to an end.

Sheridin :)