SHAH ALAM - Malaysia needs to send a clear message and lesson by banning American lecturer Bruce Gilley from entering the country in the future.
Umno Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said that this action aimed to demonstrate that the country and its people were not easily manipulated and toyed with by allegations made by such academicians.
"Wisma Putra should urge the US Embassy to come forward to provide an explanation and apologise to the Malaysian people and government for the remarks made by the American professor on Platform X.
"The incident at the Universiti Malaya (UM) that invited pro-Zionist Professor Bruce Gilley is embarrassing and should not have happened," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Recently, UM received criticism for allowing an American academic to allegedly spread Zionist propaganda and accuse Malaysian politicians who supported the struggle for Palestine of spreading hatred against Jews.
Bruce was said to have accused Malaysian politicians of advocating for a 'second Holocaust' against Jews and also attacked former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Meanwhile, Dr Muhamad Akmal said the university should also provide an explanation to the public regarding the controversial issue and how individuals like Bruce are allowed to give lectures.
"The university must explain to the Malaysian people why they were so careless as to let individuals like this slip through and be allowed to give lectures.
"UM should have been more diligent in identifying the backgrounds of the individuals invited. This incident has tarnished UM's reputation as a renowned centre of learning in the country and has marred Malaysia's image in its stance against Israel and defence of Palestine.
"A thorough explanation must be given by UM to all Malaysians. I also urge that this individual be banned from entering Malaysia," he said.