On the thirtieth anniversary of the "Operasi Lalang" in 1987, DAP's father and son team Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng have released statements recalling the dark episode, but make no mention whatsoever of the man behind the dragnet, former premier and their current ally Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In a press statement this afternoon to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the crackdown, the elder Lim described the episode as the darkest days for democracy and human rights.

“There was not only the arrest of 106 Malaysians, including opposition leaders – 16 of whom were from DAP, including MPs and state assemblypersons – trade unionists, social activists, environmentalists, Chinese educationists and religious workers...