of mas selamat escape - superintendent can get the sack but minister cannot get the sack

Extracted from today's ChannelNewsAsia article ("Superintendent of detention centre sacked over Mas Selamat's escape") dated today 26th May,

(or see Straits Times article "Nine disciplined, replaced in aftermath of Mas Selamat's escape")

The superintendent of the Whitley Road Detention Centre has been sacked over security lapses that led to the escape of Jemaah Islamiyah detainee Mas Selamat Kastari on February 27. His deputy has been demoted, with a corresponding pay cut.

Extract from an old Straits Times article ("To resign or not, that's the question S'poreans are asking")

In Parliament on Tuesday, PM Lee dismissed any suggestion that Mr Wong should resign. Singapore, he said, did not go for politically expedient options but focused on solving the underlying problems.

While the minister is ultimately accountable for his ministry's policies and operations, it 'does not mean that if a lapse occurs down the line, every level in the chain of command, up to and including the minister, should automatically be punished or removed', Mr Lee said.