KUALA LUMPUR: Offering the Mara-sponsored student who was found with 30,000 child pornography material a “second chance” to study is unacceptable, unfair and appalling, say activists.

They said Mara had taken tougher action on its students locally for far smaller offences and there was no need for double standards in this case.

Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia president Amidi Abd Manan said allowing Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin (pic), 23, 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 in a statement.

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.

She pointed out that Nur Fitri was not just found with over 30,000 hardcore porn involving children, but also had a life-sized mannequin of a boy.

“He is obviously a pervert and for Mara to make excuses for his actions is totally repugnant,” she said, adding that it was obvious Nur Fitri had a serious problem and needed treatment, not a place to continue his studies.

-The Star