KUALA LUMPUR: American professor Dr Bruce Gilley, who is believed to be pro-Zionist, who accused Malaysia of advocating for a second Holocaust against the Jews, has left the country.
Gilley, who is also a political science professor at Portland State University, said he left Malaysia after concerns for his safety due to threats from 'Islamist fascist groups gathered by the government'.
"This is not a safe country to travel to now," he said in a post on X.
In a separate post, Gilley informed that his travel and accommodation expenses were withdrawn by the Universiti Malaya (UM) due to his "disgraceful behavior towards the Malaysian government."
He has launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to cover his expenses totaling US$2,346 (RM11,222).
In the GoFundMe campaign page, Gilley claimed he had to leave Malaysia after criticising the country's stance on Israel during a speech at the university.
He said the university's action of revoking his visiting professorship forced him to bear his own flight and hotel costs.
"This is an open request for public support to fund these expenses, totaling US$2,346," he wrote on GoFundMe.
Previously, the academic expressed regret over the damage caused by his statements during his lecture entitled "Will Malaysia Become an Active Middle Power" at UM last Tuesday, but has since deleted the post.
In the lecture, Gilley also downplayed Malaysia's relationship with the US.
"A country whose political leaders advocate a second Holocaust against the Jews will never be a serious player in the world affairs, and certainly will not be an ally or partner of the US," he said in his note to X yesterday.
"This is reminiscent of Mahathir's advice (former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad) to learn from Germany how to eliminate the Jewish race.
"Most explicitly, in October, agriculture (and food security) minister Mohamad Sabu promised a rally that 'Israel will soon disappear'," he said.
Following the incident, the Higher Education Ministry directed that any programmes and activities scheduled to be attended by Gilley be canceled immediately.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ministry viewed seriously the issues that have arisen.
"As a result, I have directed that any programmes and activities scheduled to be attended by said speaker be canceled immediately.
"I also urge UM to investigate this matter and report further details promptly," he said in a statement last night.
