AUGUST 26 ― I was deeply moved a few days ago when I watched the video of a young woman which had recently gone viral. The young woman was Anis Syafiqah a student of University Malaya and of Darul Quran, Jakim which may explain her convictions.

The video depicted her passionate speech about the nation’s current financial scandal. She demanded the police investigate the yet officially unknown "Malaysian Official Number 1.”

With great emotion, she called on to the police to save the people from being swindled. She pleaded with them to save the rakyat and the future of our children.

The comments on her video come as no surprise. Malaysians from all walks of life are supporting her. No doubt, they have experienced or at the very least, feel her plight.

I was moved myself by her audacity. She reminded me of the infamous "Tank Man” of Tiananmen Square. I remember seeing that lone figure in front of a row of tanks more than 25 years ago. No one knows what became of him but his iconic image survived to the internet age and will live forever.

The fresh blood and passion of young people such as Anis Syafiqah is what is needed for long lasting change. The only thing is, we must be careful not to fall into the "Iranian trap.”

I am, of course, referring to the Iranian revolution in 1979. The Iranian  revolution was orchestrated by Marxists, secularists and liberal Muslims.

Sadly, since there was no alternative system in place, it was usurped by the Islamofascists who took advantage of the lowest common denominator of people’s thinking ― religion.

From there, they established their Islamic republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. The same trap awaits Malaysia should it have any transition of power. I do not believe the right institutions are in place to withstand the Islamist deluge.

And this is essentially what I would say to Anis Syafiqah. Develop your complaint into a fully evolved alternative plan. Staunchly declare that you are not only speaking for Malay-Muslims but for all Malaysians. This was not clear in your video.

Remember that the entire rakyat will be carrying the burden of what has transpired. Not just the present rakyat but those of the following generation as well. The lost scholarships and student loans could have helped them too.

Take time to develop a long-term strategy. Take the trouble to learn what went wrong with our democratic nation that it became an authoritarian nightmare. What institutions were weakened and eventually dismantled for that purpose.

Next, figure out what needs to be done to restore those institutions to their rightful positions. This is where networking comes in. Anis should realise that activists before her had been engaged in the same struggle for generations. She would do well to tap into their vast reservoir of experience.

Anis should realise that this entire debacle happened simply because the rakyat was too apathetic towards the happenings within the nation. All this time, we have bought into the rhetoric that the opposition are "anti-Islam” and "anti-Malay.”

That the Malays will become like the Singaporean Malays (who are ironically successful and well-adjusted!) if their special rights are abolished. For all this hate mongering, it is the Malays themselves who have been behind every major scandal to emerge. Therefore I would tell Anis, please be aware of this, when race and religion are politicised, this will inevitably happen.

In order for Anis and her compatriots to become a true political force, they must become true Malaysians. Their struggle must be national and not for any one race of religion. I wish her all the best!

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.