A Malaysian academic has lost her post at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) following widespread public backlash over her historical claims, including assertions that ancient Malays could fly.
Dr Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language and linguistics scholar, is now challenging her termination. She plans to take IIUM to the Industrial Court after accusing the institution of acting unprofessionally during her removal.
”I was dismissed within 24 hours and not allowed to appeal,” Dr Solehah said. “IIUM wanted to pay me the equivalent of six months, but I refused.”
The university confirmed in a Facebook post that Dr Solehah’s academic service ended on April 27. IIUM stated that she no longer holds a professor position or represents the institution in any capacity, though it did not disclose the specific reason for her dismissal.
According to a statement from IIUM’s Office for Communication, Advocacy and Promotion (OCAP), Dr Solehah cannot use any university title, position, or affiliation in publications, advertisements, media reports, or social media content. The university explained that the public statement was issued to protect its integrity, safeguard its academic standing, and prevent misunderstandings.
The move follows a series of public controversies involving the scholar’s research statements. Dr Solehah drew widespread attention last year when a video went viral showing her claim that ancient Romans learned shipbuilding from Malays. She later defended the statement as a research hypothesis based on her study of classical Arabic sources.
Following that incident, IIUM established an internal inquiry panel to examine her claims. The university also noted that her views did not represent the institution’s official position.
Dr Solehah has made several other controversial historical assertions. These include claims that ancient Malays could fly and taught flying kung fu to the Chinese. More recently, she suggested that rich iron deposits in ancient Kedah might be linked to a meteor shower or an extraterrestrial impact.
The public debate surrounding her statements prompted Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir to urge university academics to avoid making assertions outside their areas of expertise.
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