Second chance for porn offender shows government is prejudiced

Fahmi Zainol

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) giving a second chance to a Malaysian student convicted of possessing child pornography is proof the government is biased, a former student leader says.

"A student possesing child porn is given a second chance? (But) students calling for democracy are suspended?

"This clearly shows that the government is biased in judging student offences," former Universiti Malaya Students Union president Fahmi Zainol said in a statement today.

Fahmi was referring to Mara's statement yesterday that it would allow its 23-year-old scholarship holder, Nur Fitri Azmeer Noordin, to continue his studies in Malaysia after he serves his sentence for possession of child pornography.

Nur Fitri (right), who was studying at London's Imperial College, was arrested by British police for possessing 30,000 videos and photographs of child pornography.

Mara has cancelled his scholarship.

Fahmi, who was suspended by UM for organising a ceramah featuring Anwar Ibrahim at the university, said the government is only interested in punishing dissenters.

"I believe the government is only strict towards offences that could threaten its power. This shows that the government is immature and still childish," he said.

Damansara Utama assemblyperson Yeo Bee Yin expressed outrage at Mara, as well as against the decision of Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal to appeal Nur Fitri's sentencing.

"Nur Fitri is a disgrace to our country and the fact that Shafie Apdal intends to appeal for him is even more disgraceful.

"Our children's right to protection is far more important than the freedom of paedophile. If we want to protect the most vulnerable, we must be stern to the convict," Yeo said in a statement.

"We believe that Nur Fitri must serve his full term in the UK and must also be proven to be fully rehabilitated upon his return before any institution in Malaysia can consider his admission," she added.