By Syed Umar Ariff
KUALA LUMPUR: The infamous “Ops Lalang” was allegedly carried out under the orders of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad following protests over appointments of non-Mandarin speaking senior assistants to vernacular Chinese schools.
The controversial appointments had led to anxiety among Chinese educationists and politicians whom later on Oct 11 1987, held a rally with United Chinese School Committee Association or Dong Jiao Zong against the move, MCA publicity spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said in a statement.
Ti said MCA members were among those who participated in the rally, which was held at the Thean Hou Temple here.
“Ops Lalang was said to be caused by the growing racial tensions supposedly by Dr Mahathir’s government that was said to be too ‘tolerant’ and ‘liberal’.
“However, the real and immediate cause was the massive appointments of about 100 non-Mandarin speaking senior assistants to vernacular Chinese schools causing anxiety and fear amongst Chinese educationists and politicians.
“Dong Jiao Zong together with Chinese politicians had gathered more than 2,000 (people) to protest against this decision which was seen to be a direct attack on the very character of the Chinese vernacular schools.”
Ti said then education minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was adamant that the decision would not be rescinded, and warned of possible “retaliation” against those who opposed the appointments.
“Coincidentally, the education minister then was Anwar, who was the rising political star and Dr Mahathir’s protégé in Umno.
“A week later on Oct 17 1987, Umno Youth responded to the Thean Hou Temple 2,000 gathering with a bigger rally of 10,000, during which Umno politicians displayed their ire and anger at MCA politicians for participating in the earlier rally.”
On Nov 1 1987, then Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, who was a known Dr Mahathir loyalist according to Ti, pledged to gather “a half a million” Umno members for another counter-rally.
“This was (a) calculated (move) and meant to increase the tempo or racial tension of the day.
“However on or about Oct 27 1987, Ops Lalang was carried out targeting many innocents, mainly Chinese activists, academicians, and politicians among others. They were arrested and detained without trial by the order of then home minister who was also the prime minister Dr Mahathir.”
Ti also said Ops Lalang saw the arrests of non-governmental activists, politicians from both sides of the divide including MCA leaders, intellectuals, activists and the revocation of publishing licenses of two dailies The Star and Sin Chew Jit Poh.
Last week, Dr Mahathir in an interview with a news portal denied he was involved in the arrest of 106 people under Ops Lalang, and insisted that was a decision made by the police.
On current political development Dr Mahathir current ties with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Ti pointed out that Ops Lalang became the former’s trademark in his “draconian, iron-fisted Machiavellian style” rule to maintain his power as prime minister for 22 years.
“We are now “celebrating” the 30th year of the biggest crackdown on innocents.
“Looking back, the protagonists or villains of the ‘dark period’ known as Ops Lalang was none other than Dr Mahathir who was the then both prime minister and home minister, and his protégé than Anwar Ibrahim who was the education minister.
“Was the blatant and forceful decision to appoint a big number of non-Mandarin speakers to helm the Chinese vernacular schools intentional? Was this decision made knowing that it will provoke a massive ‘violent’ reaction from Chinese educationists and politicians?
“Were the events leading to Ops Lalang orchestrated by both Dr Mahathir and Anwar ?”
Ti added that it was peculiar for Lim, who was also detained under Ops Lalang, was now canvassing votes for both Dr Mahathir and Anwar.
“DAP or may have chosen to forgive these villains for reasons personal to themselves, or whatever. DAP may have chosen to absolve the villains of Ops Lalang but there are others including MCA politicians who are innocent victims of this blatant abuse of power and disregard for fair play.
“We cannot allow another repeat of such politically heinous act. Not ever again!”
ends/
