American prof courts flak over 'Malaysia unsafe' remark

Bridget Welsh, a leading expert on Malaysian politics, has censured an American professor for claiming Malaysia is not safe to visit.

“Strongly disagree with views (of) @BruceDGilley that misrepresent and reflect a gross lack of knowledge of Malaysia, her policies/people.

“Malaysia is a safe/hospitable country. Public outrage justified. Scholars should promote understanding, not cause harm and express differences responsibly,” the political analyst said on X.

Welsh, is a political analyst, researcher, and consultant with over 35 years of experience, focused on Southeast Asia, and specialising in the politics of Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, and Indonesia.

She was responding to political science professor Bruce Gilley (above) who criticised Malaysia following outrage over his pro-Israel remarks during a talk at Universiti Malaya.

The professor had accused Malaysian political leaders of advocating a second Holocaust against the Jewish people.

Bridget Welsh

Following this, the Higher Education Ministry cancelled all programmes and activities involving Gilley and ordered Universiti Malaya to investigate the incident.

The professor, who has since left Malaysia, vented his anger on X.

“I have safely departed from Malaysia, one step ahead of the Islamo-fascist mob whipped up by the government there. This is not a safe country to travel to now. Updates to follow,” he said. - Mkini