Most Malaysians Not Taking Angkasawan Programme Seriously. Is That Surprising?

Reported in TheStar update today is the lament by the National Angkasawan Programme director Col Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh.

A very unhappy Dr Zul said that "a recent survey revealed that Malaysians think it’s a waste of time and money, and that we’re just going to undertake a ‘little’ science project once our angkasawan (astronaut) is sent into space. Worse, many are still under the assumption that we are going to play gasing (top) or make teh tarik (tea) in space!"

He emphasized that nothing could be further from the truth. "Our objective is to uncover monumental findings in the field of science and many countries, the United States and Russia included, are eager to see the results of our experiments. These include studying liver cancer and leukemia cells, bacteria, protein crystallization and the physics of objects in space." he told a press conference.

Dr Zul said that the study of an object’s physics in space, such as a spinning top (the source of the public’s mockery on the experiment) was not to be misunderstood. "There is clearly a huge misconception from the public about our objectives here," he added.

***** To be fair one has to admit that the average Malaysian has been picking on the Angkasawan programme ever since the announcement of the space trip was first made. What drew the 'antipathy' of the people was that the project itself was seen as a trade-off (costing additional tens of millions of ringgit) merely to facilitate the purchase of Soviet jets. Adding to this suspicion and ire were the rumours that 'some person or persons' had made a fortune in kickbacks.

Not helpful was the media report which was given wide coverage that our successful astronaut would be playing 'batu seremban', spinning gasing and roti canai-tossing in space while making teh tarik for the rest of the crew on the ISS. While the primary aim of that hype was to highlight the 'unique Malayness' of the astronaut's activities in space, and hopefully gaining much goodwill for the ruling party, it dramatically backfired and the whole project became a laughing matter and a point of ridicule.

There is no doubt, serious and very credible experiments will be carried out by our angkasawan. However that cannot compensate for the fact that voyaging into outer space is not something new or one which still invokes awe, the way it did a couple of decades ago. Recently an Asian-American woman, Sunita Williams, broke a couple of records including NASA astronaut record for longest time in space. Compared to that feat this journey by our astronaut pales in significance and is considered in today's world as something almost pedestrian.

Therefore to expect great excitement or unrestrained jubilation at this point in time is not very realistic. Once our astronaut completes his journey and returns home, I'm sure that every Malaysian will be justifiably proud of him and will congratulate and welcome him wholeheartedly.

You can read the full report HERE.
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