Kuala Lampur, Jan. 29 -- When Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told enforcement officers to "step up or step out," he was not issuing a threat born of impatience.

He was stating a long-overdue truth: Malaysia's law-enforcement agencies have had three decades to adapt to Reformasi, and another three decades will not be granted. In that context, one week is not unreasonable. It is merciful.

For years, Malaysians have lived with a paradox. We have laws that are robust on paper and institutions that are respected in name, yet outcomes that repeatedly disappoint.

Smuggling rings thrive despite checkpoints. Grand corruption cases linger despite public outrage. Petty enforcement can be swift; systemic wrongdoing often is not.

The problem has never b...