While I welcome with great pleasure and pride the judgment by the Honorable Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus in freeing the two ISA detainees, I honestly feel Malaysians should not let an overwhelming sense of jubilance cloud their better judgment.

If there's one thing certain about issues, especially of the political nature in Malaysia, it is that things usually aren't what they seem. Furthermore, when something out of the ordinary happens, it usually is preceded or followed by an event or events that are as controversial, if not more. Hence, certain events should be taken with a pinch of scepticism.

I find it strange that the internationally welcomed judgment arrives within the same week of the government's backing down from the bailing out of the failed LRT conglomerates, the growing discontent with MCA's acquisition of the free press and within a day from the Finance Minister's resignation. Furthermore, these events either unfolded or were in the process of taking place, as in Daim's resignation, while Dr Mahathir Mohamad was out of the country (strangely enough, a lot of 'controversial' issues unfold when this man is away).

Was the government creating a smokescreen in order to distract people from the serious issues related to the Finance Minister's resignation? Or are there shadowplays ( wayang kulit ) set in motion for reasons best known to the puppet masters of the establishment?

We can never know for sure, but it is best to ask the question "Why are things such?", for inquiring minds are the seeds that will set in motion a mechanism that will prevent Malaysia from sliding into a state of dictatorship, "good" or otherwise. Besides, a national mindset rich in inquiry will constantly keep the government on its toes!

Following this righteous judgment, we must now inquire into the relevance (or lack thereof) of Justice Augustine Paul's judgment in summarily dismissing the previous case of the other five ISA detainees. There is definitely a great contradiction here that must be resolved, for the sake of the judiciary's reputation.

Before signing off, I must clarify that I have no intention of bringing disrepute to Justice Hishamudinnor accusing him of any conspiracy. I welcome his judgment with the same enthusiasm as most of my fellow Malaysians do. I merely inquire into the events of the past week, seeking any correlation, if any.