KUALA LUMPUR – Universiti Malaya (UM) has cancelled an event for tomorrow which would have featured Portland State University professor Bruce Gilley, after his social media posts criticising Malaysia’s stance against Israel.
The event, “Reassessing Republican China” by UM’s Institute of China Studies (ICS), was to be held at 10am tomorrow with Gilley, an author of several books on China, as the main speaker.
“The event is cancelled,” a spokesman from UM told Scoop when asked if the forum was still on after Gilley’s posts started getting attention on X.
In his posts earlier today, Gilley, who is a professor of political science, according to the university’s website, posted a photo of himself giving a speech while standing at a podium that clearly bore 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)”.
His posts drew flak from several social media users, including former foreign affairs minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, who tagged UM and Wisma Putra demanding an explanation.
Adakah Menteri KPT telah diberitahu? @ZambryOfficial @wanfayhsal @DrAhmadSamsuri
— Saifuddin Abdullah 🇲🇾 (@saifuddinabd) April 24, 2024
Ooi Kok Hin, executive director of institutional reforms movement Bersih, also chimed in, calling Gilley’s words an “irresponsible statement which is not only untrue but jeopardises the career of your local hosts”.
A few other social media users also tagged UM and asked how the institution could have invited such a speaker.
UM’s spokesman told Scoop the university was currently looking into the matter.
Malaysiakini, meanwhile, reported that Gilley had made those remarks at a lecture titled “Will Malaysia become an active middle power?” at UM yesterday.
Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz also slammed Gilley, calling his remarks a false depiction of Malaysia’s aim and goals for peace and an independent Palestine.
“We have never advocated for a second Holocaust. In fact, it is the Zionist government of Israel that is currently committing genocide at this every moment.
“Academic institutions should be very careful in inviting speakers and lecturers who is spreading pro-Zionists narratives,” Amir Aisya added. – April 24, 2024