In a fiery response to controversial remarks made by American academic Bruce Gilley, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir denounced the scholar's characterization of Malaysia as unsafe and labelled his comments as "dangerous." Gilley, known for his advocacy of Western colonialism and support for Israel, faced criticism after claiming that Malaysia is not a secure destination for travelers following the cancellation of his scheduled events due to sensitive remarks.
Zambry expressed dismay at Gilley's decision to flee the country and subsequently cast aspersions on Malaysia's safety, labelling such assertions as "very dangerous." He emphasized that Malaysia had not initiated any punitive measures against Gilley and questioned the scholar's motives for making inflammatory statements about the country's political landscape.
Asserting the abundance of qualified academics within Malaysia, Zambry questioned the rationale behind inviting Gilley to speak on topics where local expertise is readily available. He stressed the importance of vetting the credentials and scholarly reputation of visiting lecturers to ensure the quality and integrity of academic discourse.
Zambry highlighted the need for transparency regarding the decision to invite Gilley, stating that he awaited a comprehensive report from the University of Malaya (UM) regarding the circumstances surrounding the invitation. Gilley, a professor of political science at Portland State University, was invited by the Department of International and Strategic Studies for a series of events, including a seminar on international relations and a keynote address titled "Will Malaysia Become an Active Middle Power."
The controversy surrounding Gilley erupted when he referenced remarks made by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, accusing Malaysian political leaders of advocating a "second Holocaust" against the Jewish people. Gilley's subsequent deletion of the post, citing concerns for the safety of UM staff, did little to quell the backlash against his inflammatory rhetoric.
Gilley's previous support for Israel and endorsement of Western colonialism have made him a contentious figure within academic circles, culminating in the publication of his article titled "The Case for Colonialism" in the Third World Quarterly journal in 2017. The article sparked widespread controversy and prompted calls for the dismissal of the journal's editor, as well as the resignation of several editorial board members.
UM issued an apology for hosting Gilley and condemned his remarks about the country, distancing itself from his controversial views. Zambry reiterated the importance of upholding academic standards and ensuring that visiting scholars contribute positively to intellectual discourse without resorting to divisive or inflammatory rhetoric.
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