I refer to the Malaysiakini report 13 ISA freed, ban lifted on party organs .

Thank you Datuk Seri Najib. Thank you for releasing 13 detainees of ISA. Thank you for the promise to review the inhumane and cruel ISA. And thank you for lifting the temporary ban of Suara Keadilan and Harakah.

The release of the 13 ISA detainees is a generous gesture for finally the nightmare of 13 families is over.

The lifting of the ban of Suara Keadilan and Harakah, though damages is done, has at least given back the people an avenue to hear the other side of the story.

Being an overly optimistic person, I trust that this is you first attempt to fulfill your promise of reform after asuming the highest office in the country. So, I thank you.

I expect that you would continue with your reform agenda, one that is not of cosmetic changes but one that has substance. Like the following issues that needs your urgent attentions:

1. Repeal of ISA - don't just review this draconian law, repeal it. We do not need such an archaic law in the modern society of Malaysia.

Each and every one of us Malaysians should be given our fundamental rights to defend any charges laid against us in a fair and open tribunal.

2. Repeal of Printing Presses and Publications Act - give us back our democratic space of questioning the ruling elite. Let the mass media fulfill their democratic responsibility of reporting the truth. Give the press life without being beholden to the ruling elite.

3. Repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act - give back the space to our young studying in the universities, the space to explore their ideals and to develop their leadership skills, one which Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself enjoyed when he was a student.

4. Amending the Official Secrets Act - limit the scope of the definition of ‘official secret' so that government officials can no longer hide their corruption and abuse of power behind this law.

5. Amend the Police Act - give us back our democratic space to voice out as the citizens of Malaysia.

6. Enact a Freedom of Information Act - to ensure that all government dealings are transparent and to promote the culture of accountability in the ruling parties.

7. Amend the Public Utilities Act - so that the services of non-performing concessionaire companies can be terminated based on the recommendation of a truly independent public utilities commission.

The spirit of this act should be such that the people on the street will be given an avenue to stop the unscrupulous hikes of tariffs by public utilities eg, hike in electricity tarrifs.

8. Curb the power of the police - lest you want to turn Malaysia into a police state. So the setting up of the IPCMC is mandatory and urgent.

9. Make the Judicial Appointments Commission truly independent. This is only the first step towards restoring the three independent branches of democracy in Malaysia. Currently, the judiciary is seen by the public as being beholden to the executive.

The nine items listed above are not exhaustive. But they are fundamental and urgent reforms that are needed in Malaysia to give back all Malaysians some of their fundamental human and citizen rights.