your say 'Even if BN wins the next election, it is likely that he will be a one-term PM - like his predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.'

For now, a healthy dose of scepticism

David Dass: This was quite an announcement by PM Najib Razak (to abolish the Internal Security Act). It took many by surprise.

The scepticism is understandable. Although a mere announcement at this stage, it would usher in a whole wave of expectation that if not met will severely damage both Najib's and the ruling party's reputation within the country and without.

Following the announcement, it would make sense to release all those currently in detention and against whom charges are pending for breach of the laws to be repealed. That would be the just thing to do. Ideally these legislative changes should be made before the next election so that the motivation to make these changes is not removed.

As for press freedom, the question remains whether the changes really mean greater freedom for the press. The annual renewal was never the problem although it hung like the proverbial sword of Damocles.

It may be too cynical to think that the proposed new legislation will simply replace or further tighten that which has been repealed. We wait with bated breath.

Ksn: The scepticism on the part Ong Kian Ming is understandable. This new set of laws which is expected to replace ISA - will it be any different from ISA and will it provide for detention without trial?

Such laws must be strictly confined to fanatics, both religious and racial, but such detentions must be vetted by impartial, independent committees before taking effect.

So we just have to wait to see what the amendments are and passed by Parliament. Meanwhile, let us stay sceptical.

Quigonbond: Najib may be smarter than Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but Umno is still Umno with its vested interest, fearful that more open criticism will be their political death knell.

Seriously, there are so many levels of control that removing one level isn't going to make all the evils of our society go away. With BN still in power, the media corporations still belong to Umno, and the opposition still do not have access to mainstream media.

Even though annual licensing have been removed, Najib did not say whether the press will continue to receive instructions from the Ministry of ‘Misinformation'. With the Anti-Terrorism Act, I have little faith that detention without trial will be removed from the equation completely, since it is a cornerstone of BN philosophy.

I smell the next general election coming very near and I am highly sceptical that any reform, including electoral reform, will be accomplished before that.

Pakatan Rakyat should do well to press the advantage and campaign vigorously - this is the only thing that matters.

Kee Thuan Chye: Najib should have repealed the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) rather than just drop the annual renewal of licences for publications and newspapers.

As it is, the home minister still has the power to revoke the publishing licence at any time. It also means the Home Ministry can still call up newspaper editors and bully them into submission for publishing something the ministry finds objectionable.

The ministry can still practise its double standards - by cutting Utusan Malaysia some slack but coming down hard on the rest. So where's the change?

SusahKes: Let's see now:

1) They promised us a more efficient anti-corruption agency, but instead gave us Teoh Beng Hock.

2) They promised us a stadium for Bersih 2.0, but instead gave us tear gas.

3) They promised us 1Malaysia, but instead gave us Perkasa.

4) They promised us transparency, but instead allot prime land to cronies.

5) They promised us Bangsa Malaysia, but instead gave us Ketuanan Melayu.

6) They promised us performance now, but instead gave us a bloated cabinet.

7) They promised us investigation on the VK Lingam saga, but instead rubber stamped the RCI (royal commission of inquiry) findings - NFA (no further action).

8) They promised us an improved economy, but instead gave us a shrinking ringgit.

9) They promised us fairness, but then hold back funds from Pakatan-run states.

10) They promised us a developed nation, but we're just a couple of years from being a failed nation, if we haven't arrived there yet.

So, after all these, what do you really think about Najib and Umno?

Louis: Ong Kian Ming, you are absolutely right in your analysis. Not only will I take Najib's speech with a bucket of salt, but with a lorry load. Najib has broken too many a promise that I simply do not believe him at all.

He could not even carry out a simple promise of letting Bersih holding the rally in Merdeka Stadium and do you expect him to do so in this bigger one?

Even if he does in abolishing ISA, he would come up with another one with just a different name. Remember - a leopard never loses its spots.

FairPlay: Being sceptical would 'lessen' the disappointment and frustration if the promises fail to see the light of day.

However, post-GE12, Bersih 2.0 and other recent events, most of the cards appeared to be stacked against BN. It might be the case that BN is fighting for its 'survival'.

Besides, the PM made a public announcement. What credibility would remain if he reneges on his words in light of the imminent GE 13? The opposition would play it to the hilt.

Lusiapa: Malaysians nowadays are less gullible or susceptible to the temptation of believing everything that comes from the mouth of the prime minister, whose political survival depends on these so-called reform measures.

We have been taken for a ride for far too long and to be cynical at this time is totally understandable. These latest promises made on the eve of Malaysia Day are obviously intended to check the growing tide of rejection by the people at all levels of society.

Has the PM got any other choice under the circumstances? Until the repeal of these obnoxious and archaic laws are made; together with a thorough scrutiny of their proposed replacements, Malaysians can rightly be excused for being the doubting Thomases to this sly and slippery politician.

Onyourtoes: It is as certain as night following day that Umno and BN are incapable of reforms, even in the face of revolt.

I have always looked at the general motivation of politicians joining a political party. For Umno politicians, it was never about ‘agama, bangsa dan negara'. It is greed, power, parochialism and racial supremacy that they harboured.

For Umno to change, Umno must first lose power and become opposition. Only then, Umno may be able to attract the right people with the right motivation.

All these announcements are to hoodwink us, just like we fell heads and shoulders over Pak Lah's "work with me and not for me" slogan.

We nincompoop Malaysians may fall into the trap again, don't be too sure we are now smarter.

Not Convinced: Clearly, Najib is fighting for his own political survival. He needs to do much better than what BN did in the 2008 general election. 

So far, the indications are he would not be able to do that, especially without Chinese support.

Indeed, even if BN wins the next election, it is likely that he will be a one-term PM - like his predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Anonymous_4031: Dr Ong, thank you for your reasoned arguments about your scepticism regarding the PM's speech on reforms. The test of the pudding is in the eating and the test of a man's sincerity is in his action.

We have too many broken promises in the past. Note the PM's speech at the UN Assembly where he advocated that we should fight racism and extremism. That was only for global consumption.

But back home, extremist and racist NGOs let loose their venomous remarks. Did he act? No.

Passing Cloud: When Najib made his maiden speech as prime minister, observers were skeptical over his plans for Malaysia.

It turns out they are right for being skeptical over non-delivery of promises made by him. And now, observers are also skeptical over his plans announced in his Malaysia Day speech.

While we wait and see, the people should continue to fight on, to press on for real change for the better. To the people, only results count, not hot air.

Tkc: Nothing is confirmed until the 800 pound gorilla speaks. Let's wait a few days to see the reaction from Dr Mahathir Mohamad - mostly likely, through DPM Muhyiddin Yassin or Perkasa.

 

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