(Xinhua) -- Singapore police believe escaped Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mas Selamat Kastari is still in the country as there is no evidence to show he has managed to leave Singapore, local media reported Monday. It has been 13 days since the terrorist escaped from Whitley Detention Center in Singapore on Feb. 27, where he had been detained under the Internal Security Act since 2006 for involvement in a plot to crash a hijacked plane into Changi Airport. Police are continuing their intensive search while there is still no sign of Mas Selamat.
Police said Monday they are still focusing their search in forested areas, local radio station 938 Live reported. The search has been extended to residential areas, including abandoned buildings and vacant houses, local TV Channel NewsAsia said.
Police maintained that Mas Selamat is still in Singapore as there is no evidence that his escape was a result of help from others although the authorities are not ruling out the possibility. With the increased searches, police said more than 10 immigration offenders - mainly illegal immigrants - have been arrested.
Police have received some 1,100 emails and calls so far. They encouraged the public to provide any genuine information or possible sighting of Mas Selamat. But they cautioned that action will be taken against hoax callers. A 50-year-old bus driver was charged with giving the police false information about Mas Selamat's whereabouts and leading police on a wild goose chase.