KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 — Mara plans to buy the US$50,000 (RM185,000) space suit worn by Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustaphar and put it on display for all Malaysians.
Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said he had instructed Mara to buy the costume as a symbol of the institution's success in producing the first Malay spaceman.
"Dr Muszaphar had a discussion with me and he hoped someone would buy the space suit.
"The government is not going buy it but a local company has shown interest, so I've asked Mara to get it," he told reporters after launching the 2009 Mara Education Carnival and Mara Day celebrations at the Putra World Trade Centre today.
He said Dr Muszaphar, a former Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) student in Muar, Johor, was idolised by the younger generation, especially the almost 90,000 students in Mara institutions.
Noh said he would ask Dr Muszaphar to arrange for the purchase of the suit which is now in Russia, and it would either put up for display at the Mara Museum or Universiti Kuala Lumpur-Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UNIKL-MIAT).
He said Mara would also offer a position to the first Malaysian spaceman for him to serve the students at Mara learning institutions as a way to repay Mara which has produced many excellent students, including himself.
"I have discussed this with him and he has agreed to join Mara and work with UNIKL-MIAT either as a lecturer, adviser or motivator," he said.
Noh said he would meet Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital regarding Dr Muszaphar's contracts with them.
"We don't mind if he is on loan (to Mara) or transferred as long as we can use his expertise. We will make space for Sheikh Muszaphar because he is a Mara-educated child," he said.
He added that Mara would provide a special salary scheme different from the government scheme for the spaceman's services. — Bernama
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written by Tonberry, March 14, 2009
written by Tonberry, March 14, 2009
This is not an astronaut suit. It is a space a travelling suit.
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More wastfull practises
written by Maran, March 14, 2009
written by Maran, March 14, 2009
The UMNO led BN government continue to amaze us with their arrogant ways - spending public funds for an expensive toy!
MARA is state-funded, and should concentrate on giving Malaysia a capable Malay Prime Minister, instead of engaging in such wasteful purchases.
Think of how much RM$185,000 could help the poor Malays still suffering in the kampongs!
It is shameful to spend more money on that wasteful space-tourist project.
MARA is state-funded, and should concentrate on giving Malaysia a capable Malay Prime Minister, instead of engaging in such wasteful purchases.
Think of how much RM$185,000 could help the poor Malays still suffering in the kampongs!
It is shameful to spend more money on that wasteful space-tourist project.
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Please, please....
written by Gua Bay Song, March 14, 2009
written by Gua Bay Song, March 14, 2009
The money would be better spent on the further education of Nik Nur Madihah Nik Mohd. Kamal. The Kelantanese student who scored 19 A1s and 1 A2 in her SPM exam recently.
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ingenius spending spree again after the infamous space taxi service at publics' expense
written by ajax, March 14, 2009
written by ajax, March 14, 2009
a good way to spend public's money at novelty during times like this. Why not buy a new one directly from the russians?
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Waste of money!
written by Dr Cambridge, March 14, 2009
written by Dr Cambridge, March 14, 2009
1st Malay spaceman? or 1st Malaysian space visitor?
complete waste of money!! they have paid a fortune for him - I'm sure Russia would kindly donate the spacesuit to a museum here if you ask but the MARA scumbags wouldn't want it cos they would lose the commission from the payment!
and students idolising a space visitor is a big joke - ROTFL.
complete waste of money!! they have paid a fortune for him - I'm sure Russia would kindly donate the spacesuit to a museum here if you ask but the MARA scumbags wouldn't want it cos they would lose the commission from the payment!
and students idolising a space visitor is a big joke - ROTFL.
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What is our priority?
written by KS, March 14, 2009
written by KS, March 14, 2009
Time is bad and why do we need this space suit. RM 185k is a lot of money and could have been used to help quite a few retrenched workers.
Unfortunately, this is the quality of our minster. Noh Omar and Syed Hamid belong to the same league.
Unfortunately, this is the quality of our minster. Noh Omar and Syed Hamid belong to the same league.
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What a waste of money!!!
written by Hang Tuah, March 14, 2009
written by Hang Tuah, March 14, 2009
This is crazy - space suit for RM185,000.
What for???
Tax payers' money - what accountability???
Dr Muszaphar was a spaceman - right, he went to space...
I don't see his contribution to science - nothing significant to be published in any journals.
Laugh, laugh...he did the teh tarik, what else??? Ho ho ho...
He was idolised by young people, Mara students - none outside.
He is a motivator in corporate functions, charging thousands of dollors for each of his talk -
Making millions not reported till he was caught and questioned...
Not right lah to do that - why charged so much for his space holiday???
He has the cheek to say all these talks he did it after office hours...
He should do it for free, he owed it to the public - he went up on tax payers' money...
Now Mara wants to buy his space suits - so much money to waste.
It could have been used to sponsor poor students to a higher education...
Dr Muszaphar should donate all his money to help other students in Mara...
But he is taking more from Mara since Mara is going to engage him for more motivational talks.
Easy job!!!
What for???
Tax payers' money - what accountability???
Dr Muszaphar was a spaceman - right, he went to space...
I don't see his contribution to science - nothing significant to be published in any journals.
Laugh, laugh...he did the teh tarik, what else??? Ho ho ho...
He was idolised by young people, Mara students - none outside.
He is a motivator in corporate functions, charging thousands of dollors for each of his talk -
Making millions not reported till he was caught and questioned...
Not right lah to do that - why charged so much for his space holiday???
He has the cheek to say all these talks he did it after office hours...
He should do it for free, he owed it to the public - he went up on tax payers' money...
Now Mara wants to buy his space suits - so much money to waste.
It could have been used to sponsor poor students to a higher education...
Dr Muszaphar should donate all his money to help other students in Mara...
But he is taking more from Mara since Mara is going to engage him for more motivational talks.
Easy job!!!
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written by xt, March 14, 2009
written by xt, March 14, 2009
what can i say about stupid people with lots of public money...
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Mara to pay RM185,000 for Dr Muszaphars space suit
written by C M, March 14, 2009
written by C M, March 14, 2009
I am damned "marah" with MARA for squandering public funds. Where is accountability? Irresponsible !
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written by angryaboutanything, March 15, 2009
written by angryaboutanything, March 15, 2009
Isnt the Gov owns the space suit? Why this budak Muszaphar owns it? Berapa dia bayar untuk beli suit ni masa naik angkasa?
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Angkasawan India
written by longkanghead, March 15, 2009
written by longkanghead, March 15, 2009
He was trained as a doctor in India. So could not find a smart enough Malaysian-trained doctor? What does that tell you about the quality of Malaysian docs?
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We're in a economic crisis... and you want to spend US$50,000 for an astronaut suit?
written by Alex, March 15, 2009
written by Alex, March 15, 2009
Are you freaking kidding me??? That sum can be used for other purposes.... DON'T WASTE IT!
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Please la wei!!
written by renfrothots, March 15, 2009
written by renfrothots, March 15, 2009
oh god, dont tell us that ur spending portion of RM60 bill stimulus package to buy that suit.
anyway, the suit should belong to public since the exploration and even the suit was funded by duit rakyat..
again, another issue, Dr sheikh Muszaphar being a government servant can he involves in such transaction?
anyway, the suit should belong to public since the exploration and even the suit was funded by duit rakyat..
again, another issue, Dr sheikh Muszaphar being a government servant can he involves in such transaction?
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written by Jason, March 15, 2009
written by Jason, March 15, 2009
wow.... does MARA want to buy his crap when he was in space too? oh, and also the leftovers of his space food? They'll complement the space suit nicely, don't you think?
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angkasawan yang syok sendiri
written by hallesa, March 15, 2009
written by hallesa, March 15, 2009
what a stupid thing to do. the angkasawan is also stooopid bangang. this is we malay call syok sendiri. h
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written by daniel Z, March 15, 2009
written by daniel Z, March 15, 2009
what's to say that the Russkies won't sell us another spacesuit with the 'astronaut's' (read: TOURIST) name slapped on it?
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tah papa je doktor sekarang?
written by Syimi, March 15, 2009
written by Syimi, March 15, 2009
Did he ever produce an article in journal or at least in news column about his visit to space? I havent heard of any of it, except for his controversial of making more money? Damn stupid MARA!
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written by Sri Hartamas, March 15, 2009
written by Sri Hartamas, March 15, 2009
Whats the logic? The government is not buying it, but MARA will? MARA bukan Gormen ka? Will somebody please enlighten the minister? why dont you just let the space tourist do the work he has been initially trained fro, i.e. an orthopedic surgeon?
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written by orang melayu, March 15, 2009
written by orang melayu, March 15, 2009
Please do not try to be a Star Dear Datuk Noh especially when the UMNO election is very close.I have understand that Mara had stopped all the loan application for our cabbies. Rather trying to spend unnecessary on this economic turmoil furthermore on 1 item and yet trying to give a high salary for our spacemen of few days. And stop trying to make 1 man like he is the only one doing great thing. If he is the one piloting the spacecraft then that will be a different scenario. It will be wiser for you to try and find way to help our desperate cabbies for their loan which was freeze for whatever reason. That will certainly make you even more popular to this needy cabbies.
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Costume?
written by Johnathan Ing, March 15, 2009
written by Johnathan Ing, March 15, 2009
Isn't it telling that the article refers to the space suit as a costume?
That is exactly what it is - a costume.
And we are spending RM$185,000 for a bloody costume?
Why don't we just go down the street to a local seamstress. Much cheaper! Hahahaha . . . .
In all seriousness, yes, it's great that we want to "display" the first spacesuit worn by a Malaysian in space, but make no mistake about it. WE CANNOT AFFORD IT!
Now, if some private funds are to emerge, great. As a matter of fact, I've got one suggestion. Have our "Angkasawan" pay for the spacesuit from the proceeds of his expensive motivational speeches.
Only fair right? He goes to space on OUR money, and now he's making $$$ as a result?
As some have said in earlier posts, what contribution has he made to Malaysia by going to space? NOTHING. Teh Tarik in ZERO GRAVITY = TEH TARIK spilled all over the place.
Spend lots of $$$ for nothing.
We, the RAKYAT should tell the BN government to stop these white elephant, grandiose projects! $$$ needs to be spent for the people. It's a cheaper way to win the hearts and minds of the people than all these idiotic "secret schemes."
That is exactly what it is - a costume.
And we are spending RM$185,000 for a bloody costume?
Why don't we just go down the street to a local seamstress. Much cheaper! Hahahaha . . . .
In all seriousness, yes, it's great that we want to "display" the first spacesuit worn by a Malaysian in space, but make no mistake about it. WE CANNOT AFFORD IT!
Now, if some private funds are to emerge, great. As a matter of fact, I've got one suggestion. Have our "Angkasawan" pay for the spacesuit from the proceeds of his expensive motivational speeches.
Only fair right? He goes to space on OUR money, and now he's making $$$ as a result?
As some have said in earlier posts, what contribution has he made to Malaysia by going to space? NOTHING. Teh Tarik in ZERO GRAVITY = TEH TARIK spilled all over the place.
Spend lots of $$$ for nothing.
We, the RAKYAT should tell the BN government to stop these white elephant, grandiose projects! $$$ needs to be spent for the people. It's a cheaper way to win the hearts and minds of the people than all these idiotic "secret schemes."
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Are we not all Malaysians?
written by yuri gagarin, March 15, 2009
written by yuri gagarin, March 15, 2009
"Entrpreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said he has instructed Mara to buy the costume as a symbol of the institution's success in producing in the first Malay spaceman" WHAT? Shouldn't it be read as first Malaysian spaceman? Are you fishing for votes, Omar?
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A fool's suit.
written by V, March 15, 2009
written by V, March 15, 2009
Alright Noh, you and your UMNO comedians have a great sense of humor, I admit. However this first malay spaceman joke is getting way out of hand even the Russian don't find it funny anymore. When we sent our first tourist into the orbit and called him astronaut with our taxpayer's money they were laughing their gut out. When we consider buying the soyut capsual they smile and thought we were trying to impress them. Now we have actually agreed to buy a second hand Russian space suit for USD50,000. I'm telling you they are not laughing or smiling cos by now they are used to deal with a bunch of dopes. UMNO has made us all look and feel like fools.
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Typical
written by Disagreed!, March 15, 2009
written by Disagreed!, March 15, 2009
Another typical example of how government agencies under BN waste public funds. A lot more ways to benefit people (rakyat) other than buying space suit. Common! See yesterday's newspaper on how does the house condition of M'sian best SPM student in Kelantan... kasihan! sedih! Supporting this kid is much much better than buying the space suit.
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Why cant this Muszaphar just donate the suit?
written by Orang_Melaka, March 15, 2009
written by Orang_Melaka, March 15, 2009
Muszaphar get the chance to go to space by using Government money, which is rakyat money anyway. So, how can he claim the suit belongs to him and expect Mara to pay $ to buy the suit? What a shame...
This is like a father buy a school shirt for his child, when his child grows up, the child try to sell back the same school shirt to his father...
We always complain about brain drain, i think the biggest brain drain issue is the POLITICIAN BRAIN DRAIN...
This is like a father buy a school shirt for his child, when his child grows up, the child try to sell back the same school shirt to his father...
We always complain about brain drain, i think the biggest brain drain issue is the POLITICIAN BRAIN DRAIN...
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enuf lah
written by ATB, March 15, 2009
written by ATB, March 15, 2009
Stop it already! RM185K may not be a big sum these days (given our currency exchange rates, the prices of goods etc etc) but it surely can be put to a better use than buying a used space suit.
If MARA really wants to inspire the young, it could do no worse by highlighting the achievements of many other MARA students in many other fields. These are the unsung heroes.
Let's be honest about Muszafar - he is idolised (and the word is idolised) not just for his foray into space but also he is good looking. And I am sure this definitely helped sell the space programme to the nation. But there are many achievers in this country. Find out who they are and place them shoulder to shoulder with Muszafar if you really want to inspire the young generation.
Footnote - I seriously do not appreciate the space programme, can someone explain the significant of that event? The one time i saw Muzaphar was at the launch of the new Porsche last year. And I seriously thot that his role in that event is nothing less than an eye candy. Sad.
If MARA really wants to inspire the young, it could do no worse by highlighting the achievements of many other MARA students in many other fields. These are the unsung heroes.
Let's be honest about Muszafar - he is idolised (and the word is idolised) not just for his foray into space but also he is good looking. And I am sure this definitely helped sell the space programme to the nation. But there are many achievers in this country. Find out who they are and place them shoulder to shoulder with Muszafar if you really want to inspire the young generation.
Footnote - I seriously do not appreciate the space programme, can someone explain the significant of that event? The one time i saw Muzaphar was at the launch of the new Porsche last year. And I seriously thot that his role in that event is nothing less than an eye candy. Sad.
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"space traveller" suit
written by menj, March 15, 2009
written by menj, March 15, 2009
What a waste of money, especially in the current economic situation!
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Make a mockup if they really need a costume!
written by Gerry Peluda, March 15, 2009
written by Gerry Peluda, March 15, 2009
Just make a mockup for the museum lah! www.spacetoys.com, www.moonspacesuits.com and www.astronautspacesuits.com among others make nice replicas. Should definitely be cheaper.
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Mara, Saya Naik Marah
written by Penumpang Halal, March 15, 2009
written by Penumpang Halal, March 15, 2009
A total waste of good money on useless things!
He was just a space tourist!
Whose money is Mara spending from?
Mara could have created some employment in Malaysia by duplicating a look alike suit in Malaysia, why buy the suit?
BO too strong so the suit is now no longer serviceable? Dah!
He was just a space tourist!
Whose money is Mara spending from?
Mara could have created some employment in Malaysia by duplicating a look alike suit in Malaysia, why buy the suit?
BO too strong so the suit is now no longer serviceable? Dah!
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What a joke and waste of money
written by Ed, March 16, 2009
written by Ed, March 16, 2009
Why not use the money to create more enterpreneurship campaign, or even help out those enterpreneurs to work out their plan???
The whole space thing is nothing but a joke... what have we gained from there???
Well done MARA, you have created the FIRST person to participate in a totally USELESS program. U should be proud of it. Keep it up. Now i can finally understand why Malaysia is suffering from brain drain.
The whole space thing is nothing but a joke... what have we gained from there???
Well done MARA, you have created the FIRST person to participate in a totally USELESS program. U should be proud of it. Keep it up. Now i can finally understand why Malaysia is suffering from brain drain.
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