i-WITNESS It was 12.30am. The night was eerily silent at the site of the planned protest, except for the occasional New Year’s day fireworks.

Students who converged at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris’ (UPSI) back gate in Tanjung Malim had mysteriously disappeared after police turned up in force - a Black Maria, a van, at least four patrol cars and several motorcycles - and confiscated their placards and flowers.