I was surprised to hear of a recent report, which concludes that the protest movements in Jordan are running out of steam and that what happened in 2011 will not be repeated this year. The report cannot be more misleading to decision makers who need accurate input.

Obviously, the report, prepared by a newly appointed consultant, overlooked the new momentum of the protest movement. Furthermore, the assumption that if corrupt people are put by the state on trial the protest movement will fade away has proved to be an error. For instance, the teachers' sit-in last week attracted some 15,000 educators and sympathisers from all walks of life.

If anything, the state needs consultants who can say the truth.

In his meeting with members of the Parliament two days ago, King Abdullah stressed the importance of implementing the package of reform that he always talks about. He told members of Parliament to get their act together and enact the laws that should help Jordan become a fully functioning democracy. On the flip side, it seems that the government and the Parliament are just stalling, sending the message that neither is interested in holding elections by the end of the year.

Many observers point out that Parliament and government have a vested interest in procrastinating issuing the legislation in a bid to stay in their position as long as possible.

Jordanians cannot wait endlessly for these two branches of authority to do their job. The lack of trust between government and Parliament, on the one hand, and the people, on the other, cannot be wider. It should be a number one priority to restore the trust of people in these two discredited state institutions.

The poll conducted two weeks ago, finding increased popularity of the government was not well received by observers. It only adds to the amount of misinformation. One wonders whether the report was a scientific study or just one based on impression or wishful thinking. It simply cannot be true that the protest movements in Jordan have run out of steam, not when some 15,000 teachers participated in a sit-in just last week.

The last thing decision makers need these days is misinformation. Those who work close to top officials have to tell the truth, not to provide misinterpretations or misinformation. I am not suggesting that they all do, but a poor quality report can only hurt.

Fortunately the King, in his meeting with members of Parliament, said that he is relentlessly pushing for genuine reform to take off this year. By saying that, he sent an unequivocal message that he is closely overseeing both government and Parliament who seem to be completely uninterested in moving forward with reforms.

The statement that the protest movements are fading is premature and should be reconsidered. The only thing that can put an end to the protest movements is for people to feel that there is a political will, in deeds and words, to put the issue of reform on the front burner. Short of doing that, protesters can only be expected to continue their weekly activities.

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