KUALA LUMPUR — The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has clarified that the recent remarks made by one of its lecturers — suggesting that ancient Roman shipbuilding techniques were influenced by Malay seafarers — do not represent the university’s official position.
In a statement today, IIUM’s Communication, Advocacy and Promotion Office said it was aware of a viral video involving the academic from the Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, which had sparked confusion and debate online.
“The university stresses that the views and statements made by this academic are personal and do not reflect IIUM’s official stance,” the statement read.
The university said it “deeply regretted” the incident, noting that it had affected the integrity of the academic community and the institution’s image despite previous warnings to staff.
“IIUM upholds the principle of academic freedom, allowing scholars to express their views and contribute to scholarly discourse, but such freedom must be exercised responsibly and grounded in academic accuracy,” it said.
The university added that an internal review was under way, and appropriate action would be taken once investigations were completed.
Earlier, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said university lecturers should refrain from commenting on matters outside their field of expertise.
“We do not stop lecturers from expressing opinions within their respective areas of study. However, it becomes problematic when they speak as though they are experts in unrelated disciplines,” he told reporters in Putrajaya yesterday.
Zambry said academics must remain credible references for their disciplines, just as doctors only provide opinions within their specialisations.
“Even if a professor’s views seem reasonable, when they speak beyond their expertise, it raises questions within the academic community,” he said.
He added that Malaysia’s higher education system must continue balancing academic freedom with scholarly discipline to safeguard credibility.
IIUM reiterated its commitment to preserving integrity in scholarship, saying academics have “a significant responsibility to educate society with authentic and factual knowledge.” — November 6, 2025