KUALA LUMPUR: An academic’s claim that the ancient Romans learned shipbuilding from the Malays has sparked debate in Parliament, with lawmakers urging the government to protect Malaysia’s historical integrity and strengthen the preservation of verified records.
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid said the claim highlighted the growing spread of pseudohistory and the need to empower institutions such as the National Archives to ensure history remains rooted in evidence.
“The real value of the National Archives cannot be measured in ringgit and sen. It is the keeper of our historical truth — holding treaties, official letters, and records that shaped our nation.
“Today, in a world flooded with misinformation and conspiracy theories, the Archives stand as our defence against pseudohistory — false narratives created to sow confusion and hatred," she said during the committee-stage debate for the National Unity Ministry’s 2026 Budget.
She urged the government to give the National Archives of Malaysia (ANM) a stronger mandate and additional funding to implement the proposed National Digital History Initiative, which would make verified historical materials digitally accessible to schools and universities.
According to Budget 2026, the National Archives received RM56.4mil this year, a slight decrease from RM59.8mil previously.
Syerleena was referring to a recent statement by an International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) academic who claimed that the Romans had learned shipbuilding from the Malays.
Jempol MP Datuk Shamshulkahar Deli said the professor’s remarks had sparked controversy and ridicule online, with many Malaysians questioning the academic basis of such claims.
“Recently, we were shocked by statements — for example, that the Romans came to the Malay Archipelago to learn shipbuilding. These issues have created polemics in society.
“Jempol feels uneasy when history becomes a joke on social media. Any statement or claim that touches on civilisations or historical figures must be supported by strong evidence and academic research,” he said.
The IIUM lecturer, Dr Solehah Yaacob, has stood by her claim, saying it was based on “extensive research” and references from British theologian Thomas Brightwell, historian Richard L. Smith, and scholar Pierre-Yves Manguin.
She argued that the Romans did not engage in advanced seafaring until after 31 BCE, suggesting they might have been influenced by early Malay maritime navigators linked to the ancient Kedah region, referred to in Arabic texts as al-Qal’a.
However, she conceded that it remains unclear how such a technological exchange might have taken place across such vast distances.
Kuantan MP Wan Razali Wan Nor defended Solehah’s right to present her findings, urging that academic exploration into the Malay world’s maritime legacy be supported rather than ridiculed.
He said the professor’s research should be seen as an effort to highlight the achievements of early Malay civilisations, not as an attempt to distort history.
“We should be proud of our nation’s heritage. The ministry should support academic studies that explore and elevate our historical legacy,” he said.
