Mily command on guard against Kastari`s possible entry into Central Java

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The rank and file of the Diponegoro Military Command remain on guard against the possibility of fugitive Jamaah Islamiyah kingpin Mas Slamet Kastari entering Central Java and Yogyakarta, the command`s chief said.

"Kastari, a terror suspect who escaped from a prison in Singapore last week, may try to enter Central Java and Yogyakarta," Diponegoro Military Commander Maj Gen Darpito Pudyastungkoro said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after attending a ceremony to mark the transfer of the post of Military Resort 072/Pamungkas chief from Col Inf Setyo Sularso to Col Arm Subekti, Darpito said because of the possibility of Kastari entering Central Java and Yogyakarta, the National Defense Forces (TNI) would remain on guard.

"In this regard TNI personnel also need the active participation of the people here to anticipate the possible entry of the terror suspect into this area," he said.

Darpito also called on the local people to report to security officials if they happened to see someone resembling Kastari.

"Therefore, the TNI needs the active participation of the local people to anticipate Kastari`s entry into the territory of Diponegoro Military Command," he said, adding that active cooperation between the people and security officials was the key to overcoming the threat of terrorism.

According to The Jakarta Post, Indonesian Police promised on Monday to work closely with their Singaporean counterparts in the hunt of Kastari.

Speaking in Jakarta after installing six new provincial police chiefs on Monday, National Police chief Gen Sutanto said police in Indonesia, Singapore, and neighboring countries were coordinating to locate Kastari.

The Jamaah Islamiyah member was accused of plotting to hijack a plane and crash it into Changi airport in Singapore in 2001.

Since being extradited to Singapore, Kastari had been held under the city-state`s Internal Security Act at Whitley prison, but he escaped after being permitted to use the toilet during a visit by family members. (*) END

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