IIUM Lecturer Claims

An IIUM lecturer's claim that ancient Romans learned shipbuilding from Malays has sparked widespread debate, prompting the university to distance itself from the remarks.

Last updated at Nov 18, 2025

iium lecturer solehah yaacob roman malay shipbuilding claim

IIUM Lecturer Claims

An IIUM lecturer's claim that ancient Romans learned shipbuilding from Malays has sparked widespread debate, prompting the university to distance itself from the remarks.

Last updated at Nov 18, 2025

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🔥 Theory Debunked

🔥 Lecturer Doubles Down On Hypothesis

Dr Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language lecturer, defended her controversial comments on 09 November 2025, stating they are a research hypothesis developed since her PhD in 2005. She claims her proposition, which suggests Romans acquired shipbuilding from the Malay Archipelago, is grounded in classical Arabic sources and backed by references on Southeast Asian maritime history.

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🔥 Academic Experts Debunk Claims

The claim has been widely labelled "pseudo-history" by critics, including University of Tasmania academic Prof James Chin. A UKM historian of Malay technology, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Wan Ramli Wan Daud, stated on 06 November 2025 that there is no archaeological evidence for direct influence. He added that any similarities between Roman and Malay building methods are likely due to "multiple discoveries."

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🔥 IIUM Disavows Lecturer's View

The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) issued a statement on 06 November 2025 to clarify that the academic's views were strictly her personal opinions and did not represent the institution's official position. The university expressed deep regret, noting the incident had affected its academic integrity and reputation despite previous warnings to the staff member.

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🔥 Backlash Over Statement

🗣️ "Stay In Your Lane"

🔥 Original Ship-Building Assertion

Associate Professor Solehah Yaacob first made her assertion in a video lecture that began circulating around 03 November 2025, titled "Rome Learned to Build Ships From Malays." She claimed Malay maritime expertise, dating to the Funan kingdom, involved advanced shipbuilding skills developed through contact with the Phoenicians, which later influenced ancient Roman civilisation.

- Generated by AI

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