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 ( right ) 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.

Immature and childish

Nur Fitri ( left ), 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.

Set up sex offenders registry

"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.

Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari ( right ) wants the government to set up a sex offenders registry to prevent repeat offences.

"As a parent, the above cases, as well as the recent conviction of the Malaysian scholar in the UK, makes me sick to my stomach.

"Therefore, I believe that it is time the government considers setting up a sex offender registry in order to allow law enforcement agencies to monitor and restrict known sex offenders.

"Restrictions include limited access to certain locations, such as schools or day-care centres, being involved in work with minors or using the Internet," Zairil said in a statement today.

"I agree that people should be given a second chance in life, but there should also be a mechanism to ensure that such offenders are kept track of and prevented from any opportunity to commit such crimes again," he added.