COMMENT | For nearly two decades, a generation of students, professionals, educated middle-class, right to the average man in the streets, have believed and supported the Reformasi movement initiated by Anwar Ibrahim when he was expelled as the deputy prime minister after a fall out with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

They have braved themselves, travelled miles, risked their safety and security to join massive street demonstrations. They have taken to the streets to face tear gas, chemical-laced water and bludgeons, and multiple arrests (some even carrying their near infant children with them) in the belief that their sacrifices will be able to bring much needed social, political and economic reforms to the nation.

For the very first time, the country saw the Malays, Chinese and Indians, fight together against the preferential treatment of cronies, the use of state funds to bail out prominent conglomerates and the lack of transparency under the perceived “tyrant” rule of Mahathir.

Many leaders and supporters were also locked up, arrested and detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for participating in the movement, in the belief that this multi-racial unity and uprising of the middle class will end all abuse by the group of elitist lead by Mahathir and cronies, who had manipulated the political and administrative system to their favour.

Slogans such as “Undur Mahathir”, "Mahazalim", "Mahafiraun" etc were used to drum up support to end the 22 years of authoritarian rule under the Mahathir regime...