A professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)\nhas been dismissed after making viral claims about ancient Malay\ncivilisation. One of the claims stated that ancient Malays could fly and\ntaught \u2018flying kung fu\u2019 to the Chinese people.<\/p>\n
Such claims drew ridicule from historians.<\/p>\n
IIUM, in a statement reported by The Star and South China Morning\nPost (SCMP) on Wednesday (26\/8\/2026), announced that Dr Solehah Yaacob\nhad been relieved of her academic duties effective 27 April and is no\nlonger entitled to claim any affiliation with the institution.<\/p>\n
Solehah previously served as a professor of Arabic language and\nlinguistics at IIUM, which is regarded as one of the world\u2019s leading\nIslamic universities.<\/p>\n
The IIUM Office of Communication, Advocacy and Promotion stated that\nSolehah is now prohibited from using any title, position or official\nassociation linked to the university.<\/p>\n
\u2018She is no longer a professor and is not entitled to claim any\nassociation with this university,\u2019 IIUM asserted in its announcement on\nSunday (23\/8) local time.<\/p>\n
The announcement emphasised that Solehah is now barred from using\nIIUM-related titles or positions in \u2018promotional materials, media\ncoverage, publications and advertisements\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018IIUM hopes this clarification will help prevent misunderstandings\nand safeguard the academic integrity and reputation of this university,\u2019\nthe announcement added.<\/p>\n
Solehah has appealed the dismissal decision at Malaysia\u2019s Industrial\nCourt and accused the university of acting unprofessionally.<\/p>\n
Solehah has come under the spotlight several times over her\ncontroversial historical claims. She first attracted public attention in\nNovember 2025, when she claimed that the ancient Romans may have learned\nshipbuilding techniques from Malay seafarers.<\/p>\n
That claim, according to a Malay Mail report, prompted Malaysia\u2019s\nHigher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, to urge\nuniversity academics not to make claims outside their areas of\nexpertise. IIUM had previously stressed that the view did not reflect\nthe university\u2019s official position.<\/p>\n
Recently, Solehah again put forward a theory linking the abundance of\niron ore deposits in Kedah, Malaysia, to meteor showers in the distant\npast. This once again sparked debate and controversy among academics and\nthe general public.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysian-professor-dismissed-after-claiming-ancient-malays-could-fly-1787723538", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }