If former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is lying about his role in the 1987 clampdown ‘Operasi Lalang’, it is an opportunity for Malaysians to crucify him, but for Tom Plate the revelation is more pertinent than that.

“Now if he is lying, fine, then you guys find out, but if he is telling the truth you’re learning something about your political system that you did not know and it is to me something you didn’t know - control of the military and police by elected civilians are key aspects,” said Plate.