Oct 27, 1987 had been a hectic day for MCA Youth chief Yap Pian Hon. He reached home at about 10pm after seeing off party deputy president Lee Kim Sai at the Kuala Lumpur airport as he left for Australia.

By then, news was circulating informally about a number of politicians and social activists, who had been mysteriously whisked away by police personnel at intervals throughout the day.

As Yap got ready for bed, a thought flashed through his mind and he asked his wife: "Do you think I will be arrested too?"

She soothed his anxiety and he soon fell asleep. The knock on the door came at 1am.