Watch out ET, here comes the lady-killer?

Countdown starts for M'sian astronaut
Oct 10, 07


Malaysia's first astronaut was to blast off today on a space voyage seen as breaking new boundaries for the Asian nation and for space travel by Muslims.Malaysian officials have described the voyage as a national milestone as their country marks 50 years of independence.

The visit has been arranged as part of a billion-dollar purchase by Malaysia of Russian fighter jets, Russia being the operator of the Baikonur cosmodrome in ex-Soviet Kazakhstan. Russians have sent off 1800 such mission without problem but at least we can follow them into space for the money we spent on defence.

We have to be proud that we have finally produced an astronaut although we can't even launched our own satellite. It was a pity that he can't wear the Batik in space or else that could attract world attention and Milan would not be the fashion capital anymore.

Another pity would be he can't show off our very own 'tea-tarik' in space which certainly annoyed some Malaysian officials here. But i bet the Malaysian space programme director would at least be able to produce 'space-lemak' so that our first astronaut would not be homesick in space.

Perhaps the most important thing for the Malaysian would be what would be the first word he says in space. Would he greet the Muslim first for the breaking of the fast? Would he address the national leaders like Pak Lah and Najib? Would he recite the Koran in space?Would he produce an inspirational speech to address the nation on the important of supporting the BN in the coming election?

What is his real mission?

There were simply too many questions and the list could go on and on but how come i did not mention what scientific experiment he would undertake? Malaysian are puzzled as to what is the real mission of the astronaut , that has to be one, if not how on earth can we tell the world why we send an astronaut into space without a mission?

The BN would say this is another first to show Malaysia-Boleh! We can do anything if we have the money, can't we? Even without the technical know-how and high-tech industry, we can still hop onto the band wagon of the superpowers as long as we have the oil money to spare. Never mind that the country is running a trade deficit for the 11st straight year and never mind that our per capital income is only 1/4 of our Singapore couterparts. At least there is no Singaporean in space yet, or was there?

Keep the spirit burning this Ramadan, let reality sets in after our astronaut returns and 'touch-downs' in 10-days time.

David Wong

DAP Sarawak publicity sec.,

10-10-2007