DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh ( below) has warned of another Operasi Lalang and the return of "Mahathirism" with yesterday's series of arrests of politicians and activists.

NONE He said he was somewhat surprised that the freshly minted Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had decided to go on an arrest "rampage" of those attending a vigil in support of student Adam Adli Abdul Halim who is charged with sedition.

Yesterday, police had also detained Batu MP Tian Chua, Tamrin Abdul Ghafar and ABU (Anything But Umno) Haris Ibrahim.

"I would have thought that taking over the Home Ministry from Defence would slow him down instead of directing and condoning the arrest of political dissidents," Karpal said in Penang today.

"It is obvious that people are angry, this can be seen in their attendance at the Blackout 505 rallies," he added.

chronology of operasi lalang ops lalang 261005 Karpal said Prime Minister Najib Razak has to come to terms with the fact he now heads a minority government with only 48 percent of the popular vote.

He added that premier has to take into account the 52 percent who rejected the BN.

"Unless and until there is a reconciliation, he cannot properly administer the country," said the Bukit Gelugor MP.

The veteran lawyer said Pakatan Rakyat would not be "intimidated" by such strong arm tactics adopted by the Home Minister.

He added that Zahid had tried to distance himself from the police arrests, but "this is a lie".

"No Inspector of Police acts without sanction from the Home Minister," Karpal said.

He also condemned Najib, who had earlier said that the Sedition Act would be repealed but  now its being used against the opposition.

"It is far from it, this British legacy has been activated again on the opposition. It is another era of Mahathirism," he added.