KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 11 -- An International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturer who went viral for claiming that ancient Romans learned shipbuilding from the Malays has defended her academic hypothesis, stating that she is the victim of a "media lynching."

The university, however, has distanced itself from her remarks, saying it regrets her actions, which have tarnished its reputation, and has launched an internal investigation.

In a Facebook post, Professor Dr Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language and linguistic thought expert, stood by her theory, which she said was "developed through extensive study of classical Arabic sources."

"My hypothesis concerning the achievements of the Malays and the borrowings of the Romans may be right...