Is criticising Putrajaya more serious crime than kiddie porn, ask student activists

Student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim says those who criticise the government face suspension or expulsion from their institutions of higher learning compared with a paedophile. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, May 6, 2015.

Majlis Amanah Rakyat’s (Mara) decision to give a "second chance" to child porn convict Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin gives the impression that sexual crimes are less serious than criticising Putrajaya, said two student activists.

The duo, who had disciplinary action taken against them by their respective universities, said students who disagreed with the government faced suspension or expulsion from their institutions of higher learning.

Adam Adli Abdul Halim said Mara's proposal was unfair because the same opportunity was not given to undergraduates fighting for their rights and vocal in defending democracy.

"Why the double standard? It is kind of weird when in this case, Mara can give a second chance, but not to those whose wrongdoings do not even constitute a crime.

"It is as though they are sending the message, never mind if you commit any crime, including sexual crimes of being in possession of kiddie porn, as long as you are not criticising the government," the former student of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) told The Malaysian Insider. 

Adam Adli, who was expelled from his university for removing an Umno flag in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in 2011, said if Mara could have such a liberal attitude towards Nur Fitri's conduct, then the same treatment should be extended to government critics.

Mara's stand showed that it wanted to be seen as progressive institution, he said.

"This issue made international news and now Mara wants to be seen as a progressive entity."

Universiti Malaya Islamic Students Association (PMIUM) president Khairol Najib Hashim said the government should be consistent and treat all students equally, including those who criticised Putrajaya.

“Those who commit offences should be given the opportunity for self-defence, regardless of race and religion," said Khairol who was one of the eight UM students slapped with disciplinary action for organising a function with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last October.

"By right, the UM8 should be given the right of self-defence before the sentence was meted out, but instead, the sentence was given immediately while our appeals have yet to take place," he added.

Imperial College student Nur Fitri is currently serving his jail term in London after being caught in possession of more than 30,000 videos and images, including abuse involving penetrative sexual activity with children, as well as a life-sized mannequin of a boy.

Although the Mara scholar had his study loan terminated upon his conviction on April 30, the institution's council member, Nazir Hussin Akhtar Hussin, told the Bahasa Malaysia news portal mStar that Nur Fitri should be given a "second chance" as he was a "smart student" and could be an asset to the country.

This comes a day after the Rural and Regional Development Ministry said it would consider
filing an appeal to the Southwark Crown court to reduce Nur Fitri’s sentence.

Mara's suggestion had been met with criticism from Malaysians on social media.

- TMI