Mas Selamat Escape: The Disciplinary Fallout

Edited: 27 May 2008 at 1200hrs

News has broken regarding the disciplinary action taken in light of the Mas Selamat escape. Appended at the bottom of this post is a ‘quick-reference’ table summarizing (from DPM Wong Kan Seng’s speech in Parliament on Monday) the disciplinary actions taken against the various officers and guards. Certain cells I have left blank, because the information was not available from DPM Wong’s speech.

In all, 9 individuals faced disciplinary action of some kind; 6 by the Internal Security Department, 2 by the Singapore Police Force, and 1 by the Minister for Home Affairs himself.

The Problem of Concurrent Appointments

From the Table, you’ll note that the most senior officer involved apparently held concurrent appointments, as a Command Director of the Internal Security Department (ISD), and as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Whitley Road Detention Centre (WRDC).

Racist Speech — Whose Fault is It, Anyway?

A dude going by the rather charming moniker, Sexy Fragrance Prince, has been charged under s. 298 of the Penal Code. Since I’m presently researching on the topic of hate speech legislation, I thought I should weigh in a little on this debate.

A few good blog posts on this issue:

• Ian on the Red Dot, “Bloggers Should be Allowed to be as Racist as Possible”
• Simply Jean, “Local Blogger Arrested”
• Simply Inconceivable, “Jail the racist blogger. Legal?”

Before commenting on the free speech issues, I would note that the relevant provision used here is s. 298 of the Penal Code (for wounding another person’s racial or religious feelings with deliberate intention), and not the Sedition Act (as in 2005, with Benjamin Koh and his ilk).