The escape of Kastari and RI-S'pore anti-terror bond

Bantarto Bandoro , Jakarta | Tue, 03/04/2008 1:32 AM | Opinion

Singaporean Mas Selamat Kastari, allegedly the head of the Singapore branch of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group, was reported to have fled this month from a highly secured Singapore Detention Center and is currently on the run.

Authorities in the neighboring state bolstered security in case he attempted to reach the nearby archipelago of Indonesia.

An urgent worldwide security alert has even been issued by Interpol following a request from Singapore.

Many in the region however said they deplored the escape of Kastari at the time when the region is showing a strong determination to combat global terrorism.

Security breaches are virtually unheard of in Singapore. Among Singapore security services' biggest successes were perhaps pre-empting alleged plots to bomb the U.S. Embassy, the American Club and government buildings in 2001 -- a scheme in which Kastari allegedly was involved.

But the JI leader's escape reflects the reality that even a country with its sophisticated technologically-based infrastructure like Singapore cannot guarantee prison security.

The security system in the port as well as land border were tightened following the escape of Kastari (The Jakarta Post, March 2).

The question is not how can this happen in Singapore, but perhaps, on the bilateral level, whether the escape directly or indirectly touches the foundation upon which Indonesia-Singapore strengthened relations has to be based.

There seems to be blessing in disguise. There is a view the escape should drive Indonesia to further push Singapore to ratify the RI-Singapore extradition treaty.

Singapore, according to this view, should immediately realize it needs Indonesia to help capture the fugitive. Can the escape be considered ever relevant to the issue of extradition treaty between Indonesia-Singapore?

One thing is certain with the capture in the past of terror masterminds and the recent escape of Kastari, which many are afraid will lead to another series of terror attacks in the region, illustrates Southeast Asia is a theater of operations for regional terrorist groups acting alone or in collaboration with indigenous extremist groups.

The capture of Kastari by the Indonesian authorities in 2003, before he was finally handed to Singapore, serves as a case in point and accurately reflects the transnational nature of the terrorist threat in Southeast Asia.

Such an observation confirmed the assumption that Singapore will only need to cooperate with the Indonesian police to help find the fugitive.

Singapore authorities know Indonesia is the nearest spot the fugitive is likely to run.

This is in way is an ordinary transnational crime.

Here, some had hoped the escape of Kastari would further encourage the Indonesian government to push Singapore to ratify the extradition treaty.

But it appears such a case is not strong enough to show a link with the extradition treaty issue.

Indonesia and Singapore are both aware the threat of terrorism cannot be addressed individually.

The two countries need to cooperate well on this matter if they wish to be seen as instrumental in combating global terrorism.

Both countries know the escape of Kastari may result in increased security alertness in both countries.

Such conditions however will not automatically lead to Singapore bowing to Indonesia and ratifying the extradition treaty.

Singapore is cautious enough in this case not to appear as if it will ratify the treaty soon or with any sense of need.

Singapore will have to bear certain risks if it ratifies the extradition treaty because it needs Indonesia to help capture the fugitive.

Many Indonesians store their assets in Singapore -- and the Garden State has so far enjoyed maximum economic benefits from the presence of such an assets.

But, from the very beginning, it appears it was not in Singapore's interest to embrace the extradition treaty.

Thus, there are no strong grounds to believe the escape of Kastari will help increase Indonesia's leverage vis-a-vis Singapore -- and the Garden State is unlikely to be moved to sign the treaty.

The writer is chief editor of The Indonesian Quarterly published by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He is also a lecturer in the International Relations Postgraduate Studies Program at the University of Indonesia, Jakarta. He can be contacted at bandoro@csis.or.id.

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