Dr Solehah Yaacob is set to challenge the termination of her service by the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM) at the Industrial Court, claiming that she was dismissed within just 24 hours without being given an opportunity to appeal.
Solehah alleged that the university’s decision to end her service as an academic was handled unprofessionally. She also revealed that she had rejected an offer of compensation equivalent to six months’ salary.
“I was dismissed within 24 hours and was not allowed to appeal,” she told FMT.
“UIAM wanted to pay me compensation equivalent to six months’ salary, but I rejected it.”
She said the dispute over her termination would now be taken to the Industrial Court, where she intends to challenge the university’s decision.
Solehah also questioned the timing of her termination, claiming that it came just one day after she received an award related to the Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA) from the Higher Education Ministry.
UIAM Confirms Service Ended On 27 April
Solehah’s remarks followed an official clarification issued by UIAM on 23 August 2026 concerning her employment status and association with the university.
In a statement issued through its Office of Communications, Advocacy and Promotion (OCAP), UIAM said Solehah’s service as an academic had ended with effect from 27 April 2026.
The university stressed that she no longer held the position of professor at UIAM and was not authorised to represent the institution in any capacity.
UIAM also said she was not permitted to use any title, position, kulliyyah, centre, institute, department or other form of official association with the university.
The restriction extends to the use of UIAM-related titles or positions in promotional materials, media reports, publications, advertisements, social media content, publicity materials and other forms of communication, whether directly or indirectly.
The university said the clarification was issued to prevent confusion and safeguard the integrity and academic standing of the institution.
Controversial Views On Malay History And Civilisation
Solehah had previously attracted public attention over several views concerning Malay history and civilisation, some of which sparked debate and discussion.
Among the views reportedly attributed to her was a claim that ancient Romans learned shipbuilding knowledge from the Malays.
More recently, she presented a theory linking the abundance of iron ore in ancient Kedah to the possibility of meteor showers occurring in the region in the distant past.
Her presentation, titled Besi Dari Langit — Mengapa Kedah Kaya Dengan Besi? (Iron From The Sky — Why Was Ancient Kedah Rich In Iron?), linked the geological formation of Mount Jerai and the ancient iron-smelting complex at Sungai Batu to the possible impact of an object from outer space.
The dispute over her employment now moves into a formal legal process, while the university’s clarification sets out its position that her official association with UIAM ended in April.
