Security at NUS has been stepped up since Mas Selamat’s escape from Whitley Detention Centre on Feb. 27, even though there is no information to suggest he is within the campus vicinity.

Posters of the escaped detainee have been put up and the frequency of security patrols around campus has also been increased.  

Lim Yeow Khee, acting manager of Campus Security Division, said the increase in the number of foot, motorcycle and car patrols is to “project a greater security presence” at NUS.

“We are also enhancing checks on storage areas such as laboratories and storerooms to make sure that nothing suspicious is happening,” he said. 

Lim added that NUS is currently “not in a dangerous situation” and the “community should not be alarmed.”

“We did not receive any information that the fugitive may be on campus and what the police had told us was that he had not been to any of the education institutions,” he said

The island-wide manhunt has not extended to NUS.

It has been more than a week since the leader of Jamaah Islamiyah terrorist network in Singapore escaped from a detention centre.

Security forces have been conducting island-wide searches and extensive checks at all exit points around Singapore. Forested areas were targeted for searches as the dense foliage provide suitable cover for hiding out.

However, these operations have not yielded any results. 

In the March 06 campus security circular, students and staff were advised to remain “calm” and adopt a non-confrontational approach if they notice anything suspicious. 

Although the fugitive has been assessed to be of no imminent danger to the public, Lim urged students and staff to “keep your eyes open” and “look out for your own safety as well as others”.

Students or staff members should alert the campus security or police in the event they see anyone matching the suspect’s description. They should also take note of the direction the suspect was last seen heading towards.

Anyone seeking assistance when encountering anything suspicious can use the emergency call points available along the perimeter of the campus or approach the security posts located at the University Hall.

Students are also advised to take precautionary measures. 

Lim said, “Get someone to travel together with you at night if you want to get around campus.

“Try not to walk along dimly lit areas and keep your friends informed of your whereabouts.”
 

Visit http://www.nus.edu.sg/oed/services/csd/security/locationECP.htm for locations of Emergency Call Points. 

Visit http://www.nus.edu.sg/oed/services/csd/security/posts.htm for full list of Security Posts.