Just over a month ago, after my exams finished, I decided to join Nathaniel Tan, a young Harvard graduate, at his new communications company, JCB Networks (or Just Networks, as he likes to call it).

It seemed like the perfect job for the holidays while I was waiting for my university semester to start. Despite being avowedly non-partisan in my politics, I knew that Nat would make Just Networks more than just a shill for Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Indeed, it was far more than just that. Just Networks has been a wonderful introduction for me to Malaysian civil society, and to efforts being made for change all over Malaysia, both political and non-political. My experience there has highlighted how important it is for all of us to work for a better Malaysia, and reject the status quo upheld by the Barisan Nasional regime.

I do not support PKR, and a number of my colleagues are likewise unaffiliated with it. But it is people like us, people who want to get involved and make a small difference, who were the true targets behind the unjust detention of Nat last Friday.

The moment I heard about Nat's arrest, I knew it was meant to intimidate us. The establishment has no reason to go after him - he is a 'ma chai', a small fry. He is of no political or informational value to the government.

The government's goal is to frighten off people like me and my young colleagues from continuing to work for change in our own small way. It wants to suppress any efforts to alter the status quo, political or non-political, by threatening people with uncivilised and oppressive laws such as the Internal Security Act and Official Security Act.

We can and must demand that our government stop harassing Nathaniel Tan, because it is the civilised and democratic thing to do. But we cannot allow it to end there. We must show the government that they have failed to frighten us, and make Nat's detention worthwhile.

We must show the government that we are not afraid to assert our rights as members of a democratic and independent Malaysian nation, and that we are not afraid to set things right and to make a difference in our community and our society.

The next election may be coming soon. I hope every Malaysian will do their civic duty, and cast their vote as their conscience tells them to. I hope every Malaysian will stand up for themselves and for their own rights. There would be no better way to celebrate our 50th year of independence, and no better way to support Nat, than to work for a better Malaysia.