UM probes Solehah's article citing satire site as factual source

Universiti Malaya (UM) has announced that it is conducting a thorough investigation following claims that an article published in one of its academic journals cited a satirical website as a factual reference.

Mastura Mohamad Yusoff, head of Media and Creative at UM’s Corporate Communications Centre, said the university is reviewing the entire editorial and publication process of Jurnal Al-Tamaddun to ensure its academic integrity remains intact.

“UM has initiated a comprehensive review to examine the matter, including the editorial process involved,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Mastura stressed that the move reflects UM’s commitment to upholding high standards of research and publishing ethics.

“UM remains committed to fostering a culture of responsible research and ensuring continued trust in our academic community,” she added.

The issue arose after a Reddit user highlighted that a 2018 paper by International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Arabic language lecturer Prof Solehah Yaacob had cited an article from satirical news outlet The Onion as fact.

Solehah reportedly referenced a parody piece claiming that “a group of historians admitted to fabricating Ancient Greece”.

Following the revelation, another academic, Sharifah Munirah Alatas, called for the 2018 article published in Jurnal Al-Tamaddun to be retracted.

“In my view, the article in Jurnal Al-Tamaddun should be withdrawn, reviewed, and undergo a thorough peer review process before being resubmitted for publication,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

She added that scholars should be able to distinguish and identify satire to avoid such materials in academic writing.

Jurnal Al-Tamaddun is an indexed journal published twice yearly, focusing on research in history, civilisation, and Islamic thought.

Mastura said the outcome of the investigation would determine appropriate action, including possible corrections or retractions if ethical breaches are confirmed.

She added that the university aims to ensure all its publications meet the highest academic standards to maintain institutional credibility and public trust in its research.

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