All three fugitives on Pulau Tekong have been arrested after an intense three-day manhunt by the Singapore Armed Forces and the Singapore Police Force.

The final suspect was caught this evening at about 4.45 pm by Gurkha officers along the south-eastern coastline.  The 24 year old Indonesian had earlier been sighted by SAF helicopters at the eastern end of the reclaimed land.

The suspect was wearing a green T-shirt and khaki bermudas. He was found carrying RM$48, $48,500 Indonesian Rupiah and S$6 in a pouch. The suspect also subsequently led police officers to the spot where he had discarded his pistol. The pistol has since been recovered. The suspect will be charged in court on Monday, 22 Mar 04, along with the second suspect caught this morning.

This operation was carried out in a deliberate and systematic manner.  It had involved putting a sea cordon around the island, and then combing the entire island systematically by SAF and Police personnel.  Aerial detection by helicopters had helped to cue the troops on the ground.  This progressively narrowed down the area in which the fugitives could be hiding.

Said SAF Spokesman, LTC Bernard Lim, "Besides the objective of capturing the 3 fugitives, the SAF had also taken this operation as another opportunity to test the deployment of our forces and validate coordination procedures with the Police, in case there should be any development in the future which might require a large scale deployment.  From this point of view, this operation achieved its purpose."

Said Police Coast Guard Commander, Supt Jerry See: "The good working relations with the Royal Malaysia Police have enabled us to respond to the incident swiftly. There was also good exchange of information in the course of our operations. The operation has also highlighted the resilience and professionalism of our officers in responding to challenges under adverse condition and unfamiliar terrain."

Source: Mindef News Release 20 Mar 2004

One of the three men at large on Pulau Tekong was caught in the eastern half of the island this evening (19 Mar 2004) in a joint operation involving personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces and the Singapore Police Force.

The man, who is believed to be an Indonesian, was caught in dense vegetation at about 6.35 pm this evening. He was clad in a black shirt and black trousers. He did not put up a struggle when he was apprehended, and was not carrying a weapon.

Source: Mindef News Release 19 Mar 2004

The Singapore Police was informed by the Royal Malaysia Police at about 0845hrs this morning (18 Mar 2004) that they were pursuing three men on board a motorised sampan and the sampan had landed at Pulau Tekong. The men are suspected to have earlier committed armed robbery in Johor.

The Singapore Armed Forces and the Singapore Police Force are jointly conducting a search for the three persons on the island.  Security measures have also been stepped up on the island.  All training on the island has been temporarily suspended to facilitate the search operations.

Source: Mindef News Release 18 Mar 2004