KUALA LUMPUR – Universiti Malaya’s international and strategic studies department has issued an apology to all Malaysians for the recent inflammatory statements made by US academician Bruce Gilley during his time here.
The department, which organised a programme featuring Gilley and others, also apologised to the government, Higher Education Ministry and the university’s staff and student body.
“The department views this issue very seriously and will improve on its screening process, planning and programmes to ensure the platform given will not be manipulated by anyone.
“(We) will implement the said improvements within (our) department (management) immediately,” said the statement today.
The controversial academician had kicked up a storm over his opinions expressed on X on April 24, where in the now-deleted tweet, 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 tweeted.
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).”
However, on April 25, 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.
UM had since cancelled all programmes involving Gilley and issued an apology over the issue on April 25, saying that a full report on the issue is being prepared and strict action will be taken against those found to be involved in the issue.
Various student groups and staff unions have come out in support of the university while castigating Gilley. – April 27, 2024