I refer to the report UKM terminates top academic.

In a globalising world of rapid obsolescence, academia is surely one space in which the wisdom that only comes with experience and seniority must continue to be valued. As such, I think it is commendable that public universities in Malaysia have made it possible for academic contracts to be extended beyond the age of 56.

This enables the retention of senior scholars, or at least those whose energies are directed towards intellectual pursuits rather than improving their golf.

I was therefore puzzled to read about the recent termination of Professor P Ramasamy's contract at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). To me, as a junior academic, Rama is something of a role model.

This is a scholar whose internationally-published work is theoretically-informed and engaged with current debates in his field; this is an activist whose research is not confined to the 'ivory tower' but who contributes to social and public policy both in Malaysia and overseas.

He is a public intellectual whose views and expertise have been sought in efforts to resolve some of the most complex (geo)political conflicts of our time, most notably in Aceh and Sri Lanka.

And let us not forget, this is a teacher who has been, and remains, a mentor to innumerable students and young researchers the critical thinkers and actors of the future.

Based as I am in an academic institution outside of Malaysia, I am in no position to evaluate suggestions of favouritism or 'cronyism' in the selection of senior professors for contract extension at UKM or elsewhere.

But as a researcher of Malaysia myself over the past decade, I have met few scholar-activists whose place is more urgently needed in academia today than professor P Ramasamy.