Egypt held its first ever presidential election but the outcome was anything but contending for people looking forward to real democracy.

The first round results showed that two candidates--Mohammed Morsy endorsed by the Muslim Brotherhood and prime minister during Mubarak's time Shafik--will face-off during the second round of voting.

Morsy is an advocate of religious governance while his opponent is a leftover of the bygone autocratic era, neither of them a desirable leader by the democratic system.

The outcome was a shock to countless of young people flocking to Tahrir Square merely a year ago to protest the old regime. They find hard to accept the reality lying in front of them.

The candidates they support, including the former Arab League secretary-general Amr Mohammed Moussa, scholar Futouh are revolutionaries who helped topple the dictatorial regime of Husni Mubarak.

These two are open-minded leaders who advocate moderation and universally accepted values. They are able to unite the torn nation and get it connected to the world again. These are the peopel as as the most ideal candidates to lead the country.

Unfortunately, they were out in the preliminary race.

There isn't much question with the election itself, which is under the watchful eyes of international watchdogs who concluded that the election was fair and free. So, there shouldn't be the issue of manipulation.

This is where the mysteries of democracy lie: People hate dictators and fight against the rotten regime. Blood has been shed and lives sacrificed.

The dictator has been ousted, and the people herald in a new administration through the ballots in their hands, but the outcome is two stale things.

The first one, theocracy. Thanks to the support of the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsy is prepared to implement Islamisation policy and alter the secular face of Egypt. The second one, the return of authoritarianism, with Shafik getting all the support from the military and old politicians.who vow to resuscitate the old-time administration.

Egypt is going to be led to a different kind of extremism, whoever wins the final round of election, something the Jasmine Revolution has not anticipated.

Those shedding their blood in the Square feel they have been taken a ride. Many would take to the street once again, although they are in want of legitimacy as the election has been carried out in a democratic manner.

The power of religion continues to work and strengthen their grips among the divided people while the remnants of the bygone regime gain a foothold by joining hands with the vested interests and the rightists.

Egypt's experience should serve as a good lesson for Malaysia.

While many in our society have wakened up to the reality of democracy, those taking control of the society are the conservatives and right-leaning nationalists.

It won't be a surprise to anyone that what happened in Egypt will be duplicated right here in Malaysia.