Ramsamy Wants To Know Where S Iium S Inquiry Panel On Unrepentant Lecturer Solehah

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INTERNATIONAL Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) Arabic studies lecturer Prof Solehah Yaacob remains steadfast in claiming that the Romans learnt the art of shipbuilding from the Malays.
Despite the controversy surrounding her outlandish claims and IIUM’s distancing itself from her claims by claiming that it was personal opinion, an unperturbed Solehah continues to claim that Romans unquestionably learnt shipbuilding from the Malays in the Malaysian Archipelago following their conquest of Egypt.
According to her, the development of her hypothesis contextualised in extensive post-doctoral research allowed her to arrive at this assertion.

Extensive shipbuilding could have been the feature of the Srivijayan civilisation. The question is whether Romans learnt such a trade from the Malays in the region.
The senior academician further claimed that certain sources in Arabic and others point in the direction.
Valuation by panel of experts crucial
However, selective acceptance of sources just to prove her hypothesis might not be scientific and rigorous in nature let alone prove beyond reasonable doubt that indeed Romans owed their shipbuilding science to the Malays in Southeast Asia.
This is why I have earlier stressed that IIUM cannot accept responsibility by dismissing her ahistorical perspective as her personal opinion.
Historical narratives must go beyond the personal; Solehah is claiming as a historical fact that ancient Romans indeed learnt the art of shipbuilding from the Malays.
The most appropriate response from IIUM is to set up a panel of experts including those from outside Malaysia to examine Solehah’s primary historical argument.

If not undeterred by criticisms, she will continue to peddle the historical narrative that seems devoid of facts.
IIUM is premier university in the country with a large foreign student enrolment. The university should set high standards in academic disciplines.
IIUM cannot dismiss the opinion of Solehah as her personal opinion. Opinion in academic disciplines must be based on research and understanding.
I am not saying that action should be taken against her without an investigation. An inquiry panel might give her the benefit of doubt by requiring her to prove her hypothesis that Romans indeed learnt the trade of shipbuilding from the Malays.
The definition of Malays by Solehah is broached from a broad angle incorporating the natives of the Malay Archipelago. 
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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