October 27 marks the 30th anniversary of Operasi Lalang, where 106 people were detained without trial and the publishing licences of three newspapers were revoked. The episode remains a grim reminder of what can happen in the absence of check and balances, a deep scar in the Malaysian psyche. To mark this day, The Malaysian Insight speaks to those involved in the dragnet – the victims and their families, detention centre wardens and police.

HERE is the thing that Kua Kia Soong can’t understand: we apologise for stepping on someone’s toe or minor mistakes but saying “sorry” for putting 106 people through hell is so difficult.