‘The villains of Ops Lalang were Dr M and Anwar’
MCA’s Ti Lian Ker also says that while Lim Kit Siang and the DAP are wiling to forgive the villains of Ops Lalang, MCA leaders and others incarcerated under Ops Lalang will not do so
(Berita Daily) – MCA spokesperson Ti Lian Ker today questioned the audacity of DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang to call on the people to support PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR’s imprisoned de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim since both the former Umno leaders were responsible for Ops Lalang on Oct 27, 1987.
“Looking back, the protagonists or villains of the ‘dark period’ known as Ops Lalang were none other than Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was the Prime Minister and Home Minister then, and his protege then Anwar Ibrahim, who was the Minister of Education,” said Ti who is also a MCA central committee member.
He said that the real reason for the Ops Lalang was the objection to the appointment of 100 non-Mandarin speaking senior assistants to vernacular Chinese schools which led to anxiety and fear amongst Chinese educationalists and politicians.
Ti also recalled how Anwar and Umno created racial tensions based on the objections against the appointment of non-Mandarin speaking senior assistants in vernacular Chinese schools.
“Was the blatant and forceful decision to appoint a big number of non-Mandarin speaking teachers to helm the Chinese vernacular schools intentional?” Ti questioned in a statement today.
“Was this decision made knowing that it will provoke a massive “violent” reaction from Chinese educationalists and politicians? Were the events leading to Ops Lalang orchestrated by both Mahathir and Anwar?” Ti added.
He said that on Oct 11, 1987, the United Chinese School Committee Association – also known as Dong Jiao Zong – together with Chinese politicians had gathered more than 2,000 to protest against this decision that was seen to be a direct attack on the very character of the Chinese vernacular schools
“Coincidentally the Education Minister then was Anwar Ibrahim who repeated warned of retaliation and that the ministry’s decision will not be changed or compromised despite pressures from component parties including MCA.
“A week later on Oct 17, 1987, Umno Youth responded to the Thean Hou Kong 2,000 gathering with a bigger rally of 10,000 whereby Umno politicians displayed their ire and anger at MCA politicians for participating in the Thean Hou Kong protest.
“This was followed up with a promise of a half a million Umno members gathering on Nov 1, 1987, led by the then Umno secretary general Sanusi Junid who is a Mahathir loyalist. This was calculated and meant to increase the tempo or racial tension of the day.
“However on or about Oct 27, 1987, the Ops Lalang was carried out targeting many innocent mainly Chinese activists, academicians, politicians etc . They were arrested and detained without trial by the order of the Home Minister who was also the Prime Minister then, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.”
Ti also added that while Lim was willing to forgive the villains of Ops Lalang, the MCA politicians who were incarcerated would not do so.
“DAP or Lim Kit Siang 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!”
