Kuala Lampur, April 20 -- A group of academics have urged their four fellows to show up at a forum on the Rome Statute, after the latter's presentation to the Malay Rulers eventually led to Putrajaya withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty.

In a statement, Malaysian Academic Movement (Gerak) accused the four of dodging their critics, when they should have been prepared to defend the credibility and integrity of their work in public.

"In this regard, Gerak, as an academic organisation concerned about academic integrity and accountability, calls upon the four academics above, all from public universities funded by Malaysian taxpayers, to come and speak at this public forum, to debate their stand.

"Academics, like o...