Read in another report that he enjoyed gardening and fishing. Cannot find that report liao.
He really enjoy life man.
He really enjoy life man.
Villagers in Kampung Tawakal shocked that fugitive was in their midst
JOHOR BARU - Fugitive militant Mas Selamat Kastari found a perfect spot to hide: a secluded village in Johor unmarked on any map, not even on online map-and-satellite-imaging service Google Earth.
He found a traditional kampung house on stilts in Kampung Tawakal, a village with a population of less than 100.
Located about 10km away from the North-South Expressway near the Kempas exit, it is almost impossible to locate for those not familiar with the area.
It is surrounded by oil-palm trees and there are no signboards pointing to the village as one drives along the main road of Jalan Kampung Maju Jaya.
About 5km away sits the exclusive Starhill Golf & Country Club.
Tawakal villagers are still shocked that a fugitive, described as dangerous by the authorities, had been living in their midst.
According to some of them, Mas Selamat rarely left his house and when he did venture out, it was usually after dark. He would be dressed in a long white robe and white turban.
At times, he was seen gardening in the sprawling compound using a hoe.
Said a 10-year old girl, who declined to be named: "Sometimes we would call out assalamualaikum (peace be upon you) to him and he would reply. But nothing more."
Added Mr Mohd Saat Marjo, 56, a villager who lived opposite the fugitive's home: "He never spoke to anyone and kept to himself. And he never prayed at the local surau (prayer hall)."
When showed a picture of Mas Selamat published in Malaysian newspaper The Star, he exclaimed: "Yes, yes, he's the man who lived here!"
Recalling the early morning of last month when police stormed the house and arrested the fugitive, Mr Mohd Saat said: "It was about 6am. About 30 armed policemen surrounded the kampung house and ordered Mas Selamat to come out.
"When he refused, they broke through two doors and rushed in."
Mr Mohd Saat said villagers then saw Mas Selamat being led out with his face covered in a dark-blue checkered cloth before he was swiftly bundled into a police vehicle and taken away.
A peek into the house Mas Selamat was living in showed that things were neat and tidy, except for an aquarium with dead fish floating in murky water. A punching bag hung in the living area.
The house is surrounded by mangosteen, guava, coconut and banana trees.
According to Mr Mohd Saat, Mas Selamat occupied the basement of the house, which had been refurbished.
He was believed to be renting the house from a man called Johar, who lived in the upper portion of the house with his wife and two young children.
Villagers said Johar and his family were reclusive and did not take part in village activities. - THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
