While Anwar Ibrahim's family and supporters celebrate his release, it is as if the court system itself has got out of jail, at least the Federal Court bench.

The 2-1 decision could have gone either way, and Anwar himself had not been optimistic. It is only one decision, and not a unanimous one, and also one out of the ordinary because of Anwar's stature and the wide publicity and political support his case has attracted.

It is not enough to exonerate the whole judicial system still perceived to be under political influence.

In Anwar's earlier court cases, the world saw the one-sided proceedings that brought shame and disrepute to the country's judicial system. Anwar's suffering earned him many sympathisers for they saw him as the persecuted underdog.

It was a dark day for Malaysia then, not helped by Anwar's infamous black eye. The suggestion that it was self-inflicted added insult to injury when the truth was known. It confirmed to Malaysia's critics that the country was a police state.

When the top cop was prosecuted for beating Anwar, his sentence following this was but a slap on the wrist. The judiciary lost its credibility once more though not all judges can be tainted with a broad brush.

Despite the inherent flaws in the dispensation of justice, Malaysia has produced some outstanding judges. Perhaps it is time again for those able to do so to exert their influence and be true to their calling and serve a rakyat desperate for justice and heroes.

To deny justice to the innocent when one has the power to do so is an act of cowardice. For a judge to use his or her position to pervert the course of justice for whatever purpose is also a serious and despicable crime. They are villains, as Anwar pictured those who denied him decent justice.

The shocking example from Anwar's case is that anyone can be a victim if a corrupt system exists. Today's power brokers and policymakers who do nothing to change a system that may be easily abused may themselves become the victims of their own complacency.

The two Federal Court judges in Anwar's case have vindicated the court. They are heroes in a sense. But that's the irony. People are so used to villains and corrupt practices in high places that when they meet decent officials who do their jobs properly, they can't believe their luck.

It is sad when rights become privileges and what should be the norm of proper and just behaviour becomes the exception. In this regard, if Anwar feels grateful to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi it is understandable.

It merely confirms the public perception that the politicians have an influence over court decisions. That Abdullah has obviously not interfered and allowed the river of justice to flow naturally in the course of the Federal Court appeal is a good sign, and adds another feather in his cap of achievements thus far.

But as Anwar has said, there are others who are still unjustly treated, others still in prison. It will take more than one good court decision to undo all the bad ones. Justice may be out of jail but it still has a long road ahead. What happens next to Anwar may serve as an indication, at least in a symbolic sense.

It is time for Malaysia to move to a higher level of political play where everyone has a role. Politics is dirty only because politicians play dirty. Politics need not be a bad word and something to be avoided like a dangerous disease.

It is a legitimate way of serving one's country. But for too long, it is the path to selfish gain. It must change if the country's talents are to be fully used.

It is pointless to lay claim to being an Islamic state when politicians like Ali Baba and the 40 thieves thrive. The government must get tough on how it handles public funds and be more accountable. To allow corruption to continue to fester will be its Achilles heel. Open and transparent decisions will stop the rumours and win support.

The Federal Court's decision has enhanced Abdullah's image. People are happy at Anwar's release, not because they are all his loyal supporters, but because they see that justice has been allowed to breathe again.

The road ahead is uncertain. But one thing is sure. It would take more than Anwar to unseat a government, and especially a leader of Abdullah's increasing stature and calibre, if the latter continues to do good and bring about the reforms he has promised. But if the government does not deliver, it will be the architect of its own demise.

The need for grandstanding achievement is only meaningful if it follows achievements of basic economic, political and social equality and the genuine re-distribution of wealth that has underpinned the New Economic Policy.

Many aspirations with few attainments is like hope deferred which makes the heart sick and the people more cynical, especially when blatant corruption hides behind national development.

I agree with HJ Angus that Malaysia must prepare for the the challenges ahead. Now it is still a country of paradoxes as the writer has wisely observed. Self-criticism is the first step toward achievement and the rakyat itself must engage in the process of self-critical analysis and reform, with or without government initiatives.

The rakyat gave the government, or rather Abdullah, the mandate in the last election. He is not short of Malaysians who will support his aim of good governance. We don't need new visions. We need to achieve the ones we have and we would attain much.

Good governance, looking at it simply then, is merely the absence of bad practices. A 'clean, efficient and trustworthy' slogan got a good start in theory.

Now let's see it in practice, even if it's more than two decades late. Malaysia Boleh? Seeing is believing. The day Malaysia treats everyone equally and justice sits on the throne, and the government is exemplary in its honesty and efficiency, it will be Merdeka fulfilled.