AMERCIAN academic Bruce Gilley has “run” home.

“Run” was the word used by Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir.

“We haven’t said anything yet; he has run away. We are not even contemplating taking any form of action against him.

“Why did he run after that and make another statement saying that the situation is not safe? It is said that Malaysia practices Islamo-fascist, that is a very dangerous statement,” Zambry said at a Raya event yesterday.

“Home” is Portland State University, where Gilley is a professor of political science.

“Home” is the United States, where campus protests have led to arrests across the US.

The Washington Post on Friday (March 26) rounded up the campus arrests as follows:

Columbia University – more than 100 people were arrested on April 18;

Yale University – 60 people were arrested, including more than 40 students on April 22;

New York University – 120 people were arrested, also on April 22;

University of Minnesota – nine protesters were arrested on April 23;

University of Texas at Austin – more than 50 people were taken into custody on April 24;

University of Southern California – more than 90 people were arrested, also on April 24;

Ohio State University – at least eight were arrested, including three, on April 25;

Emory University – at least 28 people were arrested, including 20 Emory “community members” on April 25;

Indiana University – 34 protesters were arrested, 28 who were affiliated with the university.

The Post reported yesterday that clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and police intensified at campuses across the country, as university officials aggressively cracked down on campus demonstrations against the Israel-Gaza war, leading to arrests and tense standoffs with authorities.  

Have there been such crackdowns at Universiti Malaya or at campuses across Malaysia?

Have there been such arrests on Malaysian campuses, Bruce? – April 27, 2024.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Isight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.