Recently, there has been much debate over giving a second chance to people convicted of crimes. People in power and many online media users are asking for convicts like drug smugglers to paedophiles to be given the opportunity to turn over a new leaf.
For example, look at the amount of support the Australian so-called Bali Nine drug smugglers received even after Indonesia went ahead with its decision to execute them in front of a firing squad.
Australia upset over the execution decided to recall its ambassador while Facebook walls were filled with angry and disappointed comments.
READ:
Indonesia executes foreign drug convicts, defying global anger
Profiles of foreigners due to be executed in Indonesia
Just wondering, if the Australian duo, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were caught in Singapore and were executed in the republic, would the International world react the same way?
Would we still talk about second chances when it comes to drug trafficking offences in Singapore, which despite being a modern society and known for its Western ideas, is also well known for its strict stand over drug trafficking?
Or did the whole fiasco and the diplomatic row take place because the execution happened in an Islamic country like Indonesia?
Let’s come back to the local scene. We now have the case of a paedophile who is currently serving jail time in the United Kingdom after police found 30,000 pornographic images and videos of children in his possession.
Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin who was charged last November, was caught in possession of 601 videos and images belonging to category A (abuse involving penetrative sexual activity with children), as well as hundreds of category B and C ones.
In the UK, Category A is use to define the most extreme form of child sexual abuse involving penetrative sex with a child.
According to British newspapers, the smart mathematics student at Imperial College London was arrested during a raid at his home in Queensborough Terrace nearby Hyde Park on Nov 20 last year, while 600 category 'A' videos and images - defined by the British authorities as 'extreme form of child sexual abuse' were seized.
When the police raided his apartment, they found him with his laptop open, sitting next to a life-sized mannequin of a boy.
Despite the graveness of the crime and its heinous nature, a Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) council member wants to give Nur Fitri another chance by allowing him to continue his studies at any MARA institutions after he ends his jail stint.
MARA had awarded the student the scholarship to study in UK.
So, what are we trying to prove here?
If we really are compassionate, accept that people have changed and are willing to forgive them, then can we apply the same principles on others, say the controversial blogger Alvin Tan, student activists Fahmi Zainol and Adam Adli?
Would the authorities be willing to forgive and guide these people to a better life?
Yes, the offences nor the quantum is not the same but the question here is about compassion and forgiveness, regardless of the crime or sin.
A person with 30,000 child pornography material is more dangerous than a stupid blogger who makes fun of everything under the sun but are we ready to see it that way?
So, if we are going to forgive Nur Fitri, then it is only fair that we show our compassion to others too.
Suganthi Suparmaniam
Wed May 06 2015
Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin who was charged last November, was caught in possession of 601 videos and images belonging to category A (abuse involving penetrative sexual activity with children), as well as hundreds of category B and C ones.
ANALYSIS - What could happen if Trump rejects the US election results
If Trump seems to be losing, the delay could let him claim fraud and undermine confidence in election officials.
Motorcycling - Marquez wins Australian MotoGP after intense battle with Martin
The 31-year-old, third in the championship standings, has now won the Australian MotoGP four times in the premier class.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.