In spite of the suspicions, security breaches are rare in tightly controlled Singapore, an island nation of 4.5 million people that is a 45-minute boat ride from Indonesia where Mas Selamat has links with the Jamaat-i-Islami (blamed for a series of attacks that have killed more than 250 people since 2002). Singapore authorities currently (March 18) believe that Mas Selamat is currently, still in the city-state, and they have set up coastal observation points to make sure he does not flee.

As is known, JI was founded in 1941 by Abul Ala Mawdudi (1903-1979) who, following the demise of the Ottoman Empire called for a “new caliphate.”

The end of British colonial rule brought the partition of the subcontinent, ostensibly along religious lines, and the transfer of power to two nation-states-one avowedly secular, the other created as a Muslim homeland. Contrary to the perception that modernity had eclipsed the role of religious scholars, managers of modern states like Pakistan initially gave the ulema greater prominence, by letting them pose as guardians of public morality, if not Islamic ethics, so long as they did not undermine state authority. The renewed interest in jihad by Mawdudi and, through him, by such West Asian radicals as Sayyid Qutb-the two authors most frequently cited by experts on Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism-had like we explained before --initially also had to do with the internal dynamics of Muslim society at the time of Mawdudi.

This situation would soon radicalize itself to the extreme during, and following--the “Jihad” in Afghanistan.

But it only after JI bombed two bars on the resort island of Bali in 2002,  killing more than 200 foreigners and Indonesians, that Indonesia deployed a special unit called Detachment 88 to work with Western security agencies in tracking down JI's leaders.

Security forces have had some success. Abu Dujana, self-confessed leader of JI's military wing, was caught last year. While, Mas Selamat bin Kastari, was behind a plot to hijack a plane and crash it into Singapore's Changi Airport.

In fact JI currently is trying to regroup and consolidate so that they can carry out major attacks again. But while they have volunteers to carry out suicide bombings but they don't have they are said to not have the bombs a the moment (March 18).

And while Singapore police believe Kastari is still in the city-state, others fear he has already fled to Indonesia where he could hook up with other II members.

Also some other dangerous JI members remain at large, including strategist Noordin Mohammad Top and Umar Patek, who is thought to be in the Philippines training militants.

The Philippine military exhumed a corpse in February, saying it was the body of Dulmatin, all member who specialized in making bombs and who was wanted for his role in the Bali bombings. The Philippines has not yet released the result of forensic DNA tests, but some analysts doubt the body is Dulmatin's, and say it is too early to claim that JI has been crushed.

However Singapore remains a number one terrorist target in the region. Because for JI  Singapore is a big prize, just like America before 9/ll.