The International Islamic University Malaysia announced that Arabic language lecturer Solehah Yaacob is no longer employed by the institution, ending her service effective April 27. The university barred her from using any titles, positions, or institutional affiliations in promotional materials, media reports, and social media content.
The International Islamic University Malaysia formally clarified the employment status of controversial academic Solehah Yaacob, confirming that her tenure with the institution concluded on April 27. The university stated that Solehah no longer holds a position as a professor, nor does she represent the campus in any professional or official capacity.
The separation follows a period of intense public scrutiny surrounding several historical and civilizational claims made by the lecturer. University officials moved to distance the institution from her ongoing public profile by issuing strict directives regarding how her former title may or may not be referenced in public forums.
Strict Limits Placed on University Titles and Affiliations
Under the directive issued by the university, Solehah faces a comprehensive ban on claiming any ongoing connection to the campus. The restriction extends across multiple forms of public and private dissemination.
According to the outlet reported, the prohibition applies directly to promotional content, media coverage, advertising campaigns, and social media posts. The university’s Office for Communication, Advocacy and Promotion for Change issued a detailed statement emphasizing the scope of the restriction.
Controversial Historical Claims Sparked Prior Scrutiny
The academic previously drew widespread public attention following a series of unconventional assertions regarding ancient history. Last year, portal coverage highlighted that her views on Malay civilization generated significant online debate after a video went viral.
Among her assertions, Solehah suggested that ancient Romans acquired shipbuilding techniques from the Malay world. Additional historical claims included suggestions that ancient Malays possessed the ability to fly and taught flying kung fu to the Chinese. More recently, she utilized a personal TikTok account to present a hypothesis connecting meteor showers and extraterrestrial impacts to iron deposits in ancient Kedah, linking Gunung Jerai to the iron-smelting complex at Sungai Batu.
The shipbuilding theory prompted higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir to publicly urge university lecturers to confine their public commentary to their specific areas of expertise. Following the viral spread of the claims, the university established an internal inquiry panel to examine the matter, though institution representatives did not explicitly cite the controversies as the direct reason for ending her service.
Protecting Academic Integrity and Preventing Public Misunderstanding
University administrators emphasized that the clarification is intended to protect the standing and reputation of the institution. By establishing a clear separation in service status, officials aim to clear up ongoing confusion among students, media organizations, and the general public.
The institution reiterated that upholding scholarly integrity remains a priority, ensuring that external statements made by former personnel are not misconstrued as official university research or policy positions.
