I refer to the Malaysiakini report Najib sworn in as PM.

Congratulation to our sixth prime minister! I am quite curious why Najib Abdul Razak was sworn in before the King in such a haste, when everyone is busy campaigning for the three important by-elections, or was he just trying to avoid being laid-off..

The installation was without the fuss and pageantry such an event deserved. It seemed to be like a ‘let's get it done with’ sort of event.

But well, we have a new prime minister in Najib Razak - good luck, Malaysia.

The new prime minister's first national address, telecast live over TV, came to many as a surprise. Besides the usual formality, he announced the lifting of the ban on Harakah and Suara Keadilan, PAS and PKR's party newspapers respectively.

And he announced the immediate release of 13 (out of 45 or so) ISA detainees and an immediate review of the infamous Internal Security Act.

It was a happy news, but the odd thing is, a quick look at Facebook showed cynicism instead of celebration.

It's a ‘the carrot before the stick’, said a blogger friend. Others call it a sandiwara, a show, a trump card for winning the by-elections and someone even said its foreplay, a little pleasure before the pain.

The thing is, in the past weeks before he was sworn in, Najib has shown that he could be a real pain. There was evidence that the incoming leadership of our country could gear towards a police state.

There was the unprecedented firing by police of tear gas at opposition party ceramah, the banning of Harakah and Suara Keadilan and the banning on speaking about Altantuya, the Mongolian woman who was found murdered in our own backyard.

There was the prohibition to speak about Sultan Azlan Shah and the Perak coup by Barisan Nasional, presumably orchestrated by Najib.

So, our new PM cannot blame the people for being pessimistic. Why ban when it should not be banned in the first place?

I do hope that Najib's announcement is a sincere effort on his part to rectify the wrongs done so far and not a shadow-play to divert the rakyat’s attention from real reforms that should be done.

Perhaps a good start would be to have all the ISA detainees being brought to trial in the courts, not just the release 13 as some sort of peace exchange.

Mr Prime Minister, we deserve more than just a cosmetic make-over; own up to the mistakes of Barisan Nasional and change for real.