There were no large-scale street protests during the tenure of Dr Mahathir Mohamad - apart from when his nemesis Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from government.

This is because, Mahathir's detractors point out, he ruled with an iron fist and dissenters were often thrown behind bars.

But since he stepped down in 2003, street protests have become a common feature under his two successors and this has been a bitter pill for Mahathir.