Govt won't intervene for child porn convict: Anifah
Published on: Friday, May 08, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: Mara scholar Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin should not expect to be "saved" after committing a serious crime, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said, weighing in on the debate over the approach to take with the mathematics student who is now serving jail time for possessing child porn.In a strongly worded statement, Anifah said there should be no confusion over consular services and the preservation of basic human rights with a right to be saved when committing a crime in another country."Under no circumstances should our Malaysians abroad imagine that the Malaysian government would step in to save them if they commit crimes abroad," he said.
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He was responding to media reports about Nur Fitri, 23, who has been convicted for possession of child pornography material in the United Kingdom, and is now serving an 18-month jail sentence.Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal had said that his Ministry would consider whether to appeal to reduce Nur Fitri's sentence."We can appeal (to reduce the length of the sentence), the problem is we are subjected to the prevailing laws of the country. We have to respect the laws that other countries practise," he said.Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir were among those who lambasted the "second chance" given to Nur Fitri, while other Malaysians have also taken to starting an online petition to press Mara not to go through with any such offer.
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He said Malaysian government took the case seriously and Malaysian students abroad had the responsibility to uphold country's good name and image."I wish to state unequivocally that Malaysia views this matter gravely. We do not condone these acts particularly as they are considered as crime against young children.
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"I also wish to stress that Malaysian students have a duty to focus on their studies and to uphold the good name and image of the country. Malaysian students as well as citizens are expected to abide by the laws of the countries in which they are domiciled."Anifah also welcomed the suggestion to set up a register of convicted paedophiles and to make it public."As a committed member of the international community, I think that it is high time for Malaysia to consider establishing a register of convicted paedophiles that would be made publicly known so that parents and communities with young children will feel safer."I believe that this will act as a strong deterrent against such crimes."Nur Fitri was arrested during a raid at his home in Queensborough Terrace near Hyde Park on November 20 last year.He pleaded guilty and began his jail sentence in April. He was caught with more than 30,000 images and videos of children being abused, including "Category A" images which involve sexual penetration of children.Majlis Amanah Rakyat, which funded Nur Fitri's studies at the Imperial College in London, has terminated the scholarship upon his conviction on April 30. Activists said offering student Nur Fitri a "second chance" to study is unacceptable, unfair and appalling.Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia president Amidi Abd Manan said allowing Nur Fitri to continue studying in Mara institutions was unacceptable."There have been previous cases of those found cheating and even playing truant who have been dismissed by Mara. These offences are obviously not as serious as what Nur Fitri did," he said.He added that what Nur Fitri needed was guidance."He should be rehabilitated to fit into our mould to make it easier for him to live a normal life," he said.A student leader who himself was punished for an offence was also irked by Mara's move.Fahmi Zainol, the immediate past president of the Universiti Malaya Student Union, said double standards exist in the country."It looks as if there is a bias when evaluating offences committed by students. What is the criteria in assessing the seriousness of offences committed by students?" asked Fahmi, who was suspended for two months and slapped with a RM600 fine for organising a talk by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the campus.UM law lecturer Azmi Sharom questioned why Mara was "bending over backwards" to help Nur Fitri."Paedophilia is a very serious crime and a person should therefore serve his punishment. As for his future, it is really his responsibility. I do not understand why Mara is bending over backwards to help someone, especially someone who has committed a crime this heinous," he said, questioning the value systems of Malaysian education institutions.Activist Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin was appalled by Mara's move."In spite of the conviction, Mara has described Nur Fitri as an 'exemplary student'."Clearly, the people running Mara have a warped sense of values," she said, adding that education was not just about excellent academic results, but also building character and instilling good moral values in students.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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