Published: 24 Aug 2026
A Malaysian Islamic university has formally distanced itself from an academic whose viral claims about ancient Malay civilisation – including that Malays could fly and taught the Chinese “flying kung fu” – have drawn ridicule from historians.
In a statement on Sunday, the Islamic University said S----ah Y----b, a former linguistics professor, had been terminated from academic service on April 27 and was no longer entitled to claim any affiliation with the institution.
The university’s Office for Communication, Advocacy and Promotion said S-----h was now barred from using any official title, position or association with the univ.
MY COMMENTS:
The Quran says in Surah An-Nur (24:45):
وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَابَّةٍ مِّن مَّاءٍ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ بَطْنِهِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ أَرْبَعٍ ۚ يَخْلُقُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“And Allah has created every living creature from water. Some of them walk on their stomach, some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. Allah creates whatever He wills. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.”
Some creatures like snakes crawl on their bellies. Some creatures like us humans walk on two legs. Some animals walk on four legs. This has been fixed. Past tense. Humans walk on two legs. Humans cannot fly.
I am not surprised at all that the university took some time to arrive at their decision. Why so long? I seriously hope they were not debating the issue. Some creatures like snakes crawl on their bellies. Some creatures like us humans walk on two legs. Some animals walk on four legs. What is there to debate about?
It also has to be noted that this issue came to light only AFTER it was highlighted in the media especially Social Media. The public is not aware of the university making any statements, issuing advisories or notices BEFORE this issue was highlighted in the media.
To safeguard its own credibility the university should have had mechanisms to detect and deter its academics from “flying kung fu” before they can take flight. This episode does not reflect too well on the university in general.
It is not too late for the university to relook its hiring procedures to ensure that the “flying kung fu” types are not taken under its wings. Otherwise things can fly off on a broomstick.
