PM: Mediocre scholar should not be brought in as visiting professor
A mediocre scholar should not be brought in as a visiting professor in the first place, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this in response to the issue involving an American professor Bruce Gilley’s post on X that he left Malaysia due to safety concerns caused by an ‘Islamo-fascist mob whipped up by the government’.
“A mediocre scholar should not be brought in as a visiting professor in the first place. The rest (of the story), the minister (Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir) had already clarified.”
Anwar said this when met after officiating at Malaysia Airlines (MAB) Academy and the groundbreaking ceremony of its Flight Simulator Building, here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Zambry reportedly described Gilley’s claim about Malaysia being not a safe country to visit as a very dangerous statement that could cause discomfort to many parties.
“Even the United States Embassy in Malaysia is not comfortable with the statement issued by the professor. Today, the embassy even reaffirms that Malaysia is still a safe country to travel,” he added.
When met by reporters after attending the Ministry of Higher Education’s Aifilfitri celebration in Putrajaya yesterday, Zambry said the restriction on the proZionist speaker was meant for security and the image of country.
Therefore, the allegation that the restriction would affect academic freedom should not be raised, he added.
“I hope that those who commented on this need to distinguish between the context of academic freedom and freedom that touches on the country’s image and reputation.”
The presence of Gilley, a pro-Zionist political science professor at the university, went viral on X on Wednesday after it was uploaded by the professor himself.
However, it received a backlash from Malaysians before the post was deleted by Gilley, who also informed that he had departed from Malaysia yesterday.
Meanwhile, Zambry reiterated his ministry’s stance that encouraged every university to check the backgrounds of academicians before inviting anyone to any programme.
“If you look at this man (Gilley) and his background, even his writings...in the context of colonialism and imperialism, how can you allow this kind of lecturer to come and teach us?
“We have so many professors here, much better than this guy.
“Again, I want to stress here, that this is not a question of trying to curb the freedom of academics in Malaysia, this is about image...and the statement that came out of the context of the academic line,” he said. — Bernama