Malaysia Day 2011 will always be remembered for the landmark announcement, made by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, repealing the Internal Security Act 1960 and the Banishment Act 1959.

In his speech he also announced the review of certain sections of the Restricted Residents Act 1933, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and the Police Act 1967.

BFM spoke to some of the country's most influential thinkers, politicians, activists and academics on what all this means for Malaysia:

Malik Imtiaz Sawah – human rights lawyer, activist and current president of the National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) – says the Cabinet and UMNO should quickly come out to support and endorse the PM's statements, adding that he'd also like to see a timeline being set down concretely as a more positive indication that the Government is serious about reforms.

Professor Emeritus Datuk Shad Saleem Faruqi – a senior professor of law at Universiti Teknologi MARA and one of the country's foremost constitutional law experts – says six months should be sufficient time to enact these changes. He also talks about other draconian laws that need to be repealed.

Dr Ong Kian Ming – political analyst and lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Policy Sciences, UCSI University – says he remains skeptical as he has yet to see the legislation that will replace the ISA. Also that he has not seen any significant or substansive risk or measure that Datuk Seri Najib has taken during his time as PM, where he has shown that he is willing to take on the conservative faction within his own party.

Nurul Izzah Anwar – PKR vice-president and Lembah Pantai MP – says it will not be easy for the PM but the Opposition is willing to work with him in repealing these laws, to ensure an increase democratic space in this country.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes – AirAsia boss – says political change has a big impact on business, as a free society and freedom of speech creates a more innovative culture.

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