The night before the Nov 9, 1996 Asia-Pacific Conference on East Timor II, or Apcet II, was due to kick off, organiser Dr Sanusi Osman - who represented a coalition of eight Malaysian non-governmental organisations - had already sensed trouble was brewing.

"As Malaysians, we are honoured to have the opportunity to host an international conference which seeks to support a peaceful resolution to the tragedy of East Timor," he told journalists.

"We are organising this conference within the constraints of Malaysian law. Participation is by invitation only, and all aspects are above board.

"A crackdown on the conference would tarnish the international gains Malaysia has made to support peaceful resolutions of the troubles in Palestine, South Africa, Cambodia, Bosnia and Mindanao."

The conference in Kuala Lumpur's Asia Hotel had barely begun when a 400-strong group calling itself the Malaysian Peoples' Action Front - comprising Umno, MCA and MIC youth members - stormed the venue and violently broke up the meeting.

Four Umno Youth leaders were later charged for 'rioting' and disrupting the conference.

On Jan 31, 1997, state assemblyperson for Manjoi (Perak) Nadzri Ismail, Umno Youth exco member Mohamad Supardi Mohd Noor and Segambut Umno Youth chief Abdul Hadi Md Zam plead guilty at the Magistrates' Court and were slapped with a fine of RM1,500 each.

Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who was Umno Youth assistant secretary - now a Keadilan leader - was charged weeks later after he returned from his umrah in Saudi Arabia.

Some quotes

The following was what government leaders had to say about the incident then.

" By right, they (the NGOs) should follow the government's decision. We do not want to do something which will only damage our relations with our neighbour (Indonesia). This is an irresponsible act. They won't be able to free East Timor or get whatever it is they are demanding by having demonstration or seminars ."

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Nov 11, 1996, NST )

" I believe the actions of the Umno Youth members were based on their own stand. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the law is maintained ."

Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim , on the arrest of the four Umno Youth leaders. (Feb 2, 1997, NST )

" Our mission was to stop the conference and we did just that. We had no intention to be rough and violent with the conference participants. However, if my members were violent, it was not based on my instruction ."

Umno Youth chief Zahid Hamidi (Nov 16, 1996, NST ).

" We are proud of their (Umno Youth members) bravery and their maturity as we value the good relations between Malaysia and Indonesia. We pleaded guilty and this shows that we are not above the law. We are not regretting what has happened ."

Umno Youth deputy chief Hishammuddin Hussein Onn (Feb 1, 1997, Star )

" The BN youth should know that society is governed by the rule of law and that the burden of protecting and safeguarding it is heavier on us as the ruling party. Their behaviour is unbecoming of a civilised society ."

Wanita Gerakan deputy chairperson Rhina Bhar (Nov 16, 1996, Sun )

" And I endorse it ."

MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik when told of MCA Youth's involvement in the Apcet II rampage. (Nov 11, 1996, NST )

" But I support their action ."

MIC president S Samy Vellu on MIC Youth's participation in storming the conference. (Nov 11, 1996, NST )

A group of activists and journalists are now suing the government over the violent manner in which the authorities broke up the international conference. Their case was to be heard today but has been postponed to July 25.