'Call a special session of Parliament and get the repeal of the law done before calling for an election. Also implement Bersih's proposals now.'
FairMind: Thank you, PM Najib Razak. This time I will give you the benefit of the doubt. There are more laws which you can also clean up - the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and the election laws.
OSA has no place in modern times where Internet rules and has been used to shield massive corruption.
Similarly, the election laws have to be cleaned up and be in line with international norms - Malaysia cannot be among the third world countries if it is to gain respect from the international communities.
Mohd: Benefit of doubt can be a dangerous thing. We have given it to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and see what had happened. Are we going to make the same mistake again?
Not Convinced: Najib does not deserved our gratitude. Thanks should instead go to those Malaysians who have fought hard against this draconian law. Najib's announcement yesterday showed that these Malaysians - who were prosecuted by the government in the past few decades - were right in their demands for reforms. They have prevailed.
One thing for sure, such changes will only vet the appetite of Malaysians in our clamour for even greater reforms. Indeed, much work needs to be done. This is not the end of our journey. It is only the beginning.
Myop101: Our university students are still being prevented from joining political parties because of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUAC). Political parties can't be formed freely because of the Societies Act.
Workers, who could band together to form trade unions, are curtailed by Trade Unions Act. Where is the basic human right for freedom of association?
And our demand for transparency and accountability? Isn't OSA still around to let the government hide all their dealings behind this act?
Rizzku: Get it done quickly in Parliament, I will surely vote for BN again!
Loyal Malaysian: I give the PM a high five on making good his promise of reforms in this area. Though I have been very cynical and critical of the Umnoputra governance, I shall suspend my disbelief on this occasion.
Analysts have over the years pointed out there are more than enough laws in our country to "prevent subversive acts, planned terrorism and criminal acts". Let's see if he's trying to pull another fast one on the rakyat.
Anonymous: This is an election ploy. How to believe him when he has a track record of flip-flopping? It is wise to wait for the dust to settle in order to have a clearer picture. Meantime, why not repeal OSA? The BN has too many things to hide?
Cocomomo: Call a special session of Parliament and get the repeal of the law done before calling for an election. Also implement Bersih 2.0's proposals now.
Kick out your corrupted ministers, chief ministers and senior government officials. Abolish race-based policies and implement policies to address poverty and education issues for all Malaysians.
Then we may start to believe and have positive hope for a better and just Malaysia.
Onyourtoes: If a government has doubtful mandate, then surely many draconian laws would follow in order to sustain its power. Now you are removing the draconian laws, but do we have a clear and transparent process of electing and forming a government?
A government elected and formed fraudulently cannot provide freedom and liberty to its citizens. So while the announcement is a positive step, the bigger concern for many of us now is the due process of electing and forming the government.
We want free, fair, and clean election. A government coming into power through fraudulent means will never be able to do the right thing for the people. So the ball is right in your court - the Election Commission, National Registration Department and Home Ministry. We are not fish - we recognise a red herring when we see one.
Now we are going to have two new laws to safeguard peace and order. I thought ISA was also meant for maintaining peace and order too. Did ISA ever mention it was meant to detain political opponents?
Dr Jacob George: This is like I had indicated in my article 'Imagine a Malaysia without the ISA' earlier this week in Malaysiakini letters column.
As far as I am concerned if nothing else, by dismantling the draconian and unjust ISA, Najib would now forever be remembered in Malaysia's history as the man who went that 'extra mile' despite dissent within party, to get rid of a draconian legislation unfit for a civilised society and a country like Malaysia.
Najib will certainly now add a new dimension and stature to his position and win the accolades from all sides of the political divide.
Sarawakian_3ff9: Had this been effected when he first came to power, he would be hailed as a hero. Now the impression is that he's a desperate man trying to salvage whatever little is left for him to hang on to power.
The good thing about this is the home minister's power is being curtailed. At least, a loose cannon has been anchored. Let's see what to make of the new laws that he intends to replace ISA with.
Changeagent: Don't hold your breath yet, folks. Let's see what the two new replacement laws are first before celebrating a victory for democracy.
Louis: Umno is grabbing at the last straw before it drowns. They tried to use the racial card, it failed. The sex scandal of politicians, it failed. Then came religious issue, it became worse for them. Finally, the abolishment of ISA? Ha, ha, it is trying to hoodwink us. No way we will buy it.
Paul Warren: Isn't this a little inconvenient? Hopefully, Najib sounded out the Singaporeans his intentions.
After all, don't each refer to the other to justify the continuance of the ISA all these years? Now Singapore is going to have to respond as well so as not to be seen being behind this third world country called Malaysia.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .
