I am very happy that the judiciary has finally taken a step to reduce the abuse of the Internal Security Act. With the release of two political activists from detention under ISA and a judge who had spoken against the use of ISA, we are finally seeing a 'check' in our governance system.

However, as for the argument to abolish ISA, I think it is still a bit too early. The peaceful co-existence of the various races in Malaysia is fragile. We have not had debates about a lot of issues that have the potential to cause race-based violence for a long, long time.

Young people who have not lived through the turbulent years before the 1970s have not experienced the full-blown effect of discussing racial issues.

This group of Malaysian citizens is the most vocal in championing the abolishment of ISA, but I think the time has not come yet.

We need to have more open discussions about issues which concern various races in Malaysia openly for a time. If eventually we do find that we are mature enough to handle open discussions, then I think it is time to abolish the ISA.

It is heartening to see that the judge had ruled against the government in a case involving detention under the ISA. If unchecked, the ISA will continue to be used as a tool against open discussion.

However, with a strong judiciary to provide checks and balances, I hope that slowly more open discussions will emerge and one day ISA can be abolished.