M'sia professor who said Romans learnt shipbuilding from Malays fired from university

A Malaysian academic who defended her controversial claims that the ancient Romans learnt shipbuilding from Malay seafarers has challenged her dismissal from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

According to an Aug. 23 Free Malaysia Today (FMT) article, Solehah Yaacob was fired in April and is taking IIUM to Malaysia's Industrial Court.

She has a doctorate in Arabic linguistics and was previously a professor at the university.

Solehah told FMT that she refused IIUM's compensation offer, which was equivalent to six months' of her salary.

She said: "I was dismissed within 24 hours and not allowed to appeal."

University statement

In a media release posted to Facebook by IIUM on Aug. 23, Solehah's service as an academic staff member at the university "ended effective from Apr. 27, 2026".

"Therefore, she is no longer a professor nor entitled to claim any association with the university effective from this date."

The university noted that Solehah was not allowed to use titles, positions or any form of official affiliation to IIUM.

IIUM added that it "hopes this clarification will help avoid any misunderstanding and uphold the integrity and academic standing of the university".

Received research award day before sacking

Solehah told FTM that IIUM was unprofessional in dismissing her as she had also been awarded the Malaysia Research (MyRa) Assessment award by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia a day prior.

According to the Consortia Advancing Standards in Research Administration Information (CASRAI), MyRA is used to evaluate the performance of Malaysian universities and was developed in 2006.

Solehah delivered the controversial lecture on Dec. 31, 2022, but it only resurfaced on Oct. 31, 2025.

She responded to the backlash on Nov. 9, 2025 and doubled down on her claims.

Solehah also alleged that iron ore deposits in Malaysia were the result of meteor strikes, and previously made claims that ancient Malays could fly and taught the Chinese "flying kung fu", reported FMT.