AIMING FOR GREATER SUCCESS
Zakaria Mohamad October 23rd, 2007
Angkasawan Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukur’s safe return from space represents not just a personal success for him but a success for the country and all Malaysians.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that, usually, only developed nations had the capability to plan missions to outer space. “We are not developed yet but we are working to achieve more and even greater success towards the year 2020 when we can be a developed nation.
“To achieve that success, we must implement many projects, one of which are projects in the fields of science and space,” he said. Abdullah said the country was also working with the space agencies of countries like Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan and the United States to benefit from their progress.
“It is my hope that this is not the first and last success. We want this first achievement in space to bring even greater success in the future,” he added.
Saying he was thankful for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s safe return, the prime minister noted that the various experiments carried out in space seemed to have gone well.
“The European countries and Japan are interested in knowing the results of the experiments carried out by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar,” Abdullah said.
The Angkasawan had conducted the study of the effects of micro gravity and space radiation on cells and microbes, experiments with protein, among others.
Abdullah gave an assurance that despite the big expense of sending a Malaysian to space, it did not mean that the Angkasawan programme was a waste. “It does not mean there won’t be enough funds for other needs although this venture requires a lot of investment. “We have the funds to carry out the projects and the programmes to bring prosperity to the people and development to the nation,” he said.
The STAR, Tuesday 23 October 2007.
