NILAI, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- The government will reconsider the possibility of building a satellite launch pad in the country if it benefited the nation.
"The proposal to build one was made in the Eighth Malaysia Plan and identified Kudat in Sabah as the most appropriate location, " Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili told reporters after visiting Inno Biologics' bio-pharmaceutical complex at Bandar Baru Nilai here Tuesday.
Inno Bio is a subsidiary company of the Finance Ministry established specially to delve into the field of biotechnology.
Through its subsidiary, Inno Biologics Sdn Bhd, it offers gene-cloning using mammalian cells, development of bio-processes and bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Ongkili said the proposal for the pad had been put on hold.
"We actually have the expertise with the cooperation of international bodies to build it given the vast extent of the South China Sea. That was the opinion of international experts.
"There is no allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan but I propose to bring it to the Cabinet," he said
On another matter, he said, the launch of the RazakSAT, the country's second microsatellite, scheduled for launch in September in the time slot provided by United States' Space Exploration Technology (SpaceX) has been postponed as the launch station has problems with the launch pad.
"With this new development, the RazakSAT launch is now delayed two years. I will informm the Cabinet. We are still negotiating with Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB) for a new date in the near future. If we cannot resolve the matter we will look for a new launch site," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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