Astronaut back for brother's funeral

By : Azira Shaharuddin and Ili Liyana Mokhtar

PETALING JAYA: Astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will arrive home today, not to a grand homecoming but to attend his brother's funeral.

Younger brother, Sheikh Mustapha,32, hospitalised at University Malaya Medical Centre following a fall on Sunday, died at 6pm yesterday without regaining consciousness.

Dr Muszaphar, who was calm when informed of the death in Moscow, is expected to arrive at 2pm at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The country’s first man in space will be taken straight to the Tuan Haji Said cemetery in Seremban for the burial, scheduled after Zohor prayers today.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who visited Dr Muszaphar’s family here last night to offer his condolences, said the astronaut’s return was brought forward to allow him to attend the funeral.
“On behalf of the government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family.”

He met Dr Muszaphar’s father, Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Abdul Shukor, and expressed hope the family would be strong during these trying times.

Najib said Dr Muszaphar’s official homecoming celebrations would be held in a few days’ time.

Mustapha, 32, a project manager, fell unconscious after knocking into a pillar outside a restaurant last Sunday in Jalan Klang Lama.

He leaves a wife, Haryati Mohd Redza, 28, and two children, aged 3 and 2.