A Malaysian university formally terminates a former linguistics professor, Solehah Yaacob, after viral public claims about ancient Malay civilisation, including that Malays could fly and taught the Chinese “flying kung fu.” The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) says she was terminated from academic service on April 27 and is no longer associated with the university.
IIUM says she cannot use its titles, positions, or other official affiliations in any promotional or media material. The university also states she no longer holds the professor role and does not represent IIUM in any capacity, discouraging any implication of institutional endorsement. Several outlets note that historians and observers have ridiculed her statements.
Solehah disputes how the dismissal is handled and says she will challenge the termination through legal channels. She tells media she intends to contest the decision at Malaysia’s Industrial Court, and accuses the university of acting unprofessionally, saying she received no proper opportunity to appeal and that the university offered a compensation package she declined. Sources differ mainly on emphasis: coverage highlights the content of the viral claims, while IIUM focuses on distancing and rules around affiliation and titles.
