KUALA LUMPUR – A planned public lecture on leadership by Abdul Razak Baginda at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), scheduled for August 18, has been officially cancelled following a wave of severe backlash and public outrage from students, academic staff, and civil society.
The lecture, titled “Asia’s Heroes and Villains: A Study in Leadership,” was set to take place at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC-IIUM) in Kuala Lumpur.
Widespread criticism from staff and students
The invitation extended by ISTAC-IIUM triggered swift condemnation across campus and online.
Critics described hosting Abdul Razak as being in “bad taste,” questioning the appropriateness of inviting him to lecture university students on the topic of leadership.
The Academic Staff Association (ASA) of IIUM formally raised strong concerns regarding the invitation to the August 18 talk, highlighting that academic platforms should uphold high standards of integrity and moral responsibility.
Student union bodies and civil society commentators similarly demanded the immediate cancellation of the event, arguing that the university’s reputation was being compromised.
Following the mounting pressure, IIUM officially announced the cancellation on its Facebook page: “We regret to inform you that the public lecture featuring Abdul Razak Baginda on ‘Asia’s Heroes and Villains: A Study of Leadership,’ has been cancelled.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and we highly appreciate your kind understanding.”
Abdul Razak Baginda, a political analyst and former close advisor to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, remains a deeply divisive figure in Malaysia due to his high-profile involvement in the 2006 murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The Submarine Deal: Altantuya was hired as an interpreter during negotiations for Malaysia’s RM2 billion purchase of French Scorpène-class submarines, a deal brokered by Abdul Razak.
The 2008 Trial: In 2008, Abdul Razak was charged with abetting two members of the police force’s elite Special Action Unit (UTK) in Altantuya’s murder.
Acquittal: The High Court acquitted Abdul Razak at the end of the prosecution’s case without calling for his defense, a decision that the prosecution chose not to appeal. The two police officers were subsequently convicted and sentenced to death.
Despite his legal acquittal, Abdul Razak’s connection to the high-profile murder case and the surrounding submarine corruption allegations continue to make his public appearances subject to intense scrutiny and debate. – August 16, 2026