KUALA LUMPUR – Universiti Malaya (UM) has apologised for the fiasco involving Portland State University Prof Bruce Gilley criticising Malaysia’s stance on Israel and will beef up screening procedures for guest speakers in the future.
Taking note of Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir’s call to scrap activities with suspected pro-Zionist speakers, UM said it immediately cancelled all scheduled programmes to be attended by Gilley.
“UM apologises for (Gilley’s) controversial statement and disrespect for public sentiments, which went viral on social media. A full report on the issue is being prepared, and strict action will be taken against those found to be involved in the issue,” UM said in a statement.
“To ensure such incidents are not repeated, UM is improving procedures and guidelines, especially background checks of any individuals or parties it will work with, including risk assessment studies of social media profiles.”
UM also condemned Gilley’s statement about the safety of travelling to Malaysia, asserting that it fully supports the government’s stance in the Palestine-Israel conflict.
“This statement is irresponsible and extreme, which has sparked ire among all Malaysians,” the university said.
“UM will continue to carry the government’s stance of opposing any element related to Israel and fully support efforts to recognise Palestine as an independent and legitimate nation.”
In a now-deleted tweet yesterday, Gilley posted a photo of himself giving a speech while standing at a podium bearing UM’s name and crest.
“A country whose political leaders advocate a second Holocaust against the Jewish people will never be a serious player in world affairs, and will certainly never be a friend or partner of the United States,” he posted.
In another tweet in the same thread, Gilley said: “This is a long-standing vice of Malaysian politicians going back to Mahathir’s advice to learn from the Germans on how to kill Jews. Today, TV news hosts end daily broadcasts with ‘From the River to the Sea’ and ‘Israel cuak’ (Israel is frightened).”
Today, he tweeted that he had “safely departed” and was away from the “Islamo-fascist mob whipped up by the government”, claiming Malaysia was no longer a safe country to travel to. – April 25, 2024