“They can contribute to society by being true to the pursuit of knowledge and performing their role as genuine intellectuals,” said Faisal S Hazis, an associate professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Faisal’s remarks came as a rebuttal to arguments put forward by Teo Kok Seong, also of UKM.

Teo, responding to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement of the council’s dissolution, pleaded for a reconsideration, saying it was unfair to dismantle the council just because a “handful” of its members were overzealous in their defence of the previous administration.

Teo said the MPN, which was established in 2010, had harnessed the expertise of about 3,000 professors. They were involved in the formulation of state and federal policies and thus contributed to nation building, he added.

But Faisal told FMT there were other ways scholars could help in nation building.

“We could teach the values of inclusiveness, multiculturalism and mutual respect, for instance,” he said. “We can also conduct research that can bring significant impact to the people’s lives.

“You don’t need a council to do all these.”

He rejected Teo’s denial of the allegation that the MPN was a mouthpiece for the previous administration, claiming that the head of the council, Raduan Che Rose, was seen by fellow academics as more of a government spokesman than a true scholar who should speak up to the powers that be.

“Many good professors didn’t join MPN because they felt the council took a very government-centric position,” he said.

“The council is seen to be beholden to the powers that be and not to the truth or knowledge.”