Faiz: Continue space programme

KUALA LUMPUR: The Angkasawan programme should continue, with the funding shared among the relevant ministries that will benefit from the aerospace industry, suggested Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed.

The second Angkasawan said the space mission should no longer be about sending a Malaysian to space but for Malaysia to embark on the aerospace industry.

He said the industry that included manned space flight missions benefited many fields including communication, research, medical, defence and education.

“As the industry benefits many fields under many ministries, these ministries can share in the funding,” he said in response to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili’s statement that the ministry presently had no money to embark on the second phase of the programme.

Dr Faiz said people must be clear that it was now about research and development.
“If you just want to send people to space, RM100mil is expensive. We must look at it as moving on to developing our aerospace industry.

“Developing research and development means investment,” he said, and pointed out countries, including China, which persisted with their space programme because of the far-reaching benefits.

On whether he was disappointed with the possibility that he would not get to go to space, he said: “I am always ready to serve the nation.

“If my service is needed I will always give my 200%. What I can do is to be prepared. I was given the chance to be in the industry for two years now and I learned a lot.”