I REFER to Andy Ho's article on Thursday, "What academic freedom?".

This is not an issue of academic freedom, it is about a professor who expresses controversial views. A professor is a creator of ideas based on his observations, research and reasoning. So when a professor expresses his views on a subject, he lends credence to the particular view, making people sit up and take notice.

A strong social backlash is expected for anyone who raises controversial ideas in a public space. So it is no surprise that there were harsh protests against Professor Thio Li-ann, given her stature as a professor from a distinguished university and her stint in Parliament.

Furthermore, the students of American universities are very passionate about their causes and will not hesitate to voice their views.

Perhaps Prof Thio should learn from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who went ahead and accepted Columbia University's invitation to give a public talk and went home unscathed.

Yim Yew Fei

This article was first published in The Straits Times.