COMMENT When Anwar Ibrahim ignited the Reformasi movement in the aftermath of his unceremonious exit from power, it was Dr Mahathir Mohamad and then police chief Abdul Rahim Noor who ensured that the fire would continue to rage even after he was thrown into the slammer.

Instead of dealing with the situation tactfully, the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) donned helmets and shields to battle protesters in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

Batons came crashing down, tear gas canisters were lobbed and water cannons rained chemical-laced liquid on thousands of Anwar supporters.

The protesters were chased through shopping malls and into LRT stations. They were clobbered while the former inspector-general of police socked Anwar in the eye, leaving it black and blue...