The unconditional release of some of the political detainees from the 'evil' Internal Security Act (ISA) is certainly an occasion for relief and joy for them, as well as many other Malaysians and our good friends all over the world.

The reason is simple and human enough: for good has finally triumphed over evil, justice, over injustice, and hope, over despair.

Those who have regained freedom - which should not have been deprived of in the first place - must be thankful and grateful, but only to the right persons, or categories of person.

To family and friends

First, they must be thankful and grateful to their parents, brothers and sisters, spouses, children and other members of their families who must have provided tremendous moral support.

Second, they must be thankful and grateful to thousands of brave Malaysians and good friends of Malaysia, both in power or otherwise, who have been voicing their protests over their unjust incarcerations, in the streets, alternative and foreign media, places of worship, private gatherings as well as diplomatic channels and cocktail parties.

As Irish political philosopher Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797) once observed insightfully, all that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing.

Fortunately, there are enough good men and women, inside and outside Malaysia, who are willing and able to do something at the right but trying time to ensure the triumph of good over evil.

Third, they must be thankful and grateful to the many brave clergies of all religions who organised and led prayers, in public or private events, to give hope and strengthen our faith in the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

To political leaders

For example, the late Fadzil Noor, who was also a president of PAS, dedicated the last few years of his righteous life to give hope to the oppressed, and comfort and empower the families of the political detainees, irrespective of race and religion.

Abdul Hadi Awang and Nik Aziz have also been standing upright at the forefront, like rocks in a stormy sea, to set examples of stoic defiance of, and peaceful resistance to injustice and oppression;

Fourth, they must be thankful and grateful to many upright political leaders, like Dr Wan Azizah Ismail and Lim Kit Siang (who was also detained under ISA twice in 1969 and 1987).

And also Dr Syed Husin Ali (left, who was also detained under ISA in the 1970s for five years). These leaders gave voices to the voiceless.

Fifth, they must also be grateful and thankful to some brave individuals in the ruling parties, like Gerakan's Penang state government executive councillor Dr Toh Kin Woon, who, on the issue of ISA detention, obeys God and defies the party line.

Above all, we must all be thankful and grateful to God for protecting the bodies and souls of the political detainees and their families.

We must also thank Him for empowering and sustaining us with a civilised sense of justice as well as fortitude, patience and prudence, throughout the moment of darkness.

Indeed, God is Light amidst Darkness, and Hope amidst Despair.

May He continue to give us strength to strive to right the wrongs committed since Sept 20,1998.

JAMES WONG WING o­n is chief analyst of Strategic Analysis Malaysia (SAM). Wong is a former member of Parliament (1990-1995) and a former columnist for the Sin Chew Jit Poh Chinese daily (now Sin Chew Daily). He read political science and economics at the Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. While in Sin Chew, he and a team of journalists won the top awards of Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) for 1998 and 1999.