Malaysian Islamic university IIUM terminated linguistics professor Solehah Yaacob on April 27, 2026, and barred her from using academic titles or affiliations, following her controversial claims about Malay history.
Malaysia’s International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) formally severed ties with former linguistics professor Solehah Yaacob on April 27, 2026, after she was dismissed from academic service. The university’s Office for Communication, Advocacy and Promotion stated she no longer holds the position of professor or represents the institution in any official role, and barred her from using titles or associations with IIUM in any media, publications, or social media content.
IIUM’s statement emphasized that Solehah is no longer a professor nor entitled to claim any association with the university, adding that the clarification aimed to uphold the integrity and academic standing of the university. The university also reiterated that her termination covers the use of titles or positions linking her to IIUM in promotional materials, media reporting, publications, and advertising.
Solehah, who previously held a doctorate in Arabic linguistics, has been embroiled in controversy over her assertions about Malay history. Among her claims, she alleged that the Romans learned shipbuilding from Malay seafarers. These statements drew criticism from historians and prompted IIUM to act.
Professor who said Malays could fly sacked by Malaysian
Solehah accused IIUM of unprofessional conduct, stating she was dismissed within 24 hours without the opportunity to appeal. I was dismissed within 24 hours and not allowed to appeal,
she told Free Malaysia Today. She also rejected a six-month salary settlement offered by the university.
The development came after IIUM confirmed that Solehah’s service as an academic staff member had officially ended on April 27, 2026. In a statement, the university’s Office of Communication, Advocacy and Promotion said Solehah was no longer a professor at IIUM and no longer represented the university in any official capacity. IIUM also said she was no longer permitted to use titles or positions linked to the institution or claim any official affiliation with the university, including in social media content, promotional materials, and other forms of publicity.
However, Solehah questioned how the termination was handled. She claimed that the decision came just one day after she received an award related to the Malaysia Research Assessment, better known as MyRA, from the Ministry of Higher Education. MyRA, which was developed in 2006, is used to assess the research performance of universities in Malaysia. Solehah described IIUM’s handling of the matter as unprofessional.
Solehah is challenging her termination before Malaysia’s Industrial Court and has accused the university of unprofessionalism. I was dismissed within 24 hours and not allowed to appeal,
she said. IIUM wanted to pay me the equivalent of six months, but I refused,
she told FMT. The university’s Office for Communication, Advocacy and Promotion stated that Solehah was now barred from using any official title, position, or association with IIUM.
Solehah’s assertions have long drawn scrutiny. In November 2025, she claimed ancient Romans may have learned shipbuilding from Malay seafarers, sparking debate. More recently, she suggested Kedah’s iron ore deposits originated from meteor showers, further fueling academic and public controversy. The university’s statement noted that Solehah’s service status and official association with the university needed clarification to avoid future misunderstandings among the public.
Controversial lecturer Solehah to challenge termination by IIUM
IIUM said clarification was necessary to ensure accuracy in public perception of the university while safeguarding institutional integrity in academic representation across Malaysia’s higher education landscape. IIUM hopes that with this clarification regarding Solehah’s service status and official association with the university, confusion and future misunderstandings among the public can be avoided,
it added.
The university’s Office of Communication, Advocacy and Promotion (OCAP) said Solehah, who previously served as a linguistics professor at the university, was also now barred from using any official title, position, or association with IIUM. Following the termination, she no longer holds the position of professor or represents the institution in any official role.
This ruling also covers the use of titles or positions linking her to IIUM in promotional materials, media reporting, publications, and advertising, the university said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 23), as reported by Sinar Harian.
The university also clarified that this restriction will similarly apply to any social media content, publicity materials, or other forms of dissemination, whether directly or indirectly, that involve Solehah. This ruling also covers the use of titles or positions linking her to IIUM in promotional materials, media reporting, publications, and advertising,
the university said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 23), as reported by Sinar Harian.
Solehah has vowed to take the case to Malaysia’s Industrial Court, arguing the termination violated procedural norms. The dispute escalated after Solehah received the MyRA award from the Ministry of Higher Education just one day before her termination. She argued this timing highlighted the unprofessionalism of the decision.
IIUM’s statement noted that Solehah’s service status and official association with the university needed clarification to avoid future misunderstandings among the public. However, Solehah has vowed to take the case to Malaysia’s Industrial Court, arguing the termination violated procedural norms.
IIUM strips controversial academic of titles following April dismissal
The outcome of Solehah’s legal challenge remains uncertain. The university’s Office for Communication, Advocacy and Promotion stated that Solehah is no longer a professor nor entitled to claim any association with the institution. The university also reiterated that her termination covers the use of titles or positions linking her to IIUM in promotional materials, media reporting, publications, and advertising.
Solehah’s claims about Malay history have drawn widespread criticism. Among the claims she was reported to have made included one that the Romans learned shipbuilding from the Malays, and that iron ore deposits in Malaysia were the results of meteor strikes. These statements were widely dismissed by historians as unfounded. The university’s statement emphasized that the clarification was necessary to uphold the integrity and academic standing of the institution.
Solehah’s academic service at IIUM had been terminated on April 27. The university’s Office of Communication, Advocacy and Promotion (OCAP) said Solehah, who previously served as a linguistics professor at the university, was also now barred from using any official title, position, or association with IIUM. Following the termination, she no longer holds the position of professor or represents the institution in any official role,
the university said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 23), as reported by Sinar Harian.
Solehah, who was a professor of Arabic linguistics at the International Islamic University Malaysia, was sacked in April. PETALING JAYA: Controversial lecturer Solehah Yaacob is challenging her termination by the International Islamic University Malaysia and has accused the university of being unprofessional in its decision. Solehah said she was taking the university to the Industrial Court. I was dismissed within 24 hours and not allowed to appeal,
she said. IIUM wanted to pay me the equivalent of six months, but I refused,
she told FMT. Earlier today, the university said Solehah, who has a doctorate in Arabic linguistics, was sacked in April and was no longer a professor at the university from April 27. It also said Solehah was not permitted to use any title or position linked to the university or claim any affiliation with the institution.
