An Islamic militant described as Singapore's most wanted man has been detained under Internal Securty Act for a two-year term.

Mas Selamat Kastari, the alleged head of the Singapore cell of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) which has links to al-Qaeda, was captured in Johor in April after being on the run for more than a year.

Prime Minister Najib Razak confirmed reports that the 48-year-old Islamic militant had been detained under the ISA, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

"This is Malaysia's decision. He is a threat to Malaysia's security, that is why he has been detained. Obviously he's a threat to Singapore and Malaysia," he told a press conference.

Najib said Malaysian authorities needed to extract "more information" from Mas Selamat and downplayed suggestions that Singaporean authorities would be anxious to have him in their custody.

"Singapore expected us to detain him," he said.

No extradition until term completed

Mas Selamat was captured in Johor last month where he had reportedly been hiding out since February 2008 when he escaped from detention by squeezing through a toilet window and climbing over a fence.

mas selamat alleged ji terrorist captured by malaysia authorities 080509 04 He reportedly using an improvised floatation device to cross the narrow strait which separates Singapore from Johor.

The state Bernama news agency said Mas Selamat was being held at the Kamunting detention centre in Taiping with the other ISA detainees, who are mostly Islamic militants.

Quoting an unnamed source familiar with the case, it said that any extradition proceedings with Singapore would be discussed only after the two-year term had been completed.

"While under detention, Mas Selamat will be undergoing a rehabilitation programme which will include debating with religious experts on Islam," it quoted the source as saying.