“Mediocre scholars should not be brought in as visiting professors in the first place,” he told reporters after an event.

Anwar had been asked to comment on Gilley, who sparked a backlash for purportedly claiming at a UM talk that Malaysia was pushing for a “second Holocaust against the Jewish people”.

Gilley, a professor of political science at Portland State University, was also said to have played down Malaysia’s ties with the US during the talk.

The academic left Malaysia yesterday, citing safety concerns caused by an “Islamo-fascist mob whipped up by the government”.

He also launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to cover travel and lodging expenses totalling US$2,346 (RM11,222) after declining reimbursement from UM “as a result of its disgraceful behaviour and that of the Malaysian government”.

Meanwhile, higher education minister Zambry Abd Kadir described Gilley’s statements as “disrespectful and dangerous”, saying there is a difference between academic freedom and matters concerning the country.

“In this case, it is not an academic question. This is a matter of statements made from outside that are too insolent about the security, position, and image of the country,” he told reporters at a higher education ministry Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house event.

Zambry also urged universities to carefully examine the backgrounds of invited academics.

“Invite anyone, but look at their background in terms of their expertise,” he said.

“It’s not about barring anyone. I remind universities to prioritise those who truly have scholarly value.”