Astronaut..
..Or space tourist?
Instead of raising national pride, Muszaphar’s US$25m space trip widens Malaysia’s race divide. Compiled by Littlespeck.
Oct 14, 2007

Admired by some Singaporeans, Malaysia's space participation has raised Malay pride but has hit a sour note with the country's non-Malay population.

Astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shokor is now on a 1,500km journey with two Soviet spacemen to a space station and will return on Oct 21. An euphoric Kuala Lumpur government has announced that a second trip – by Capt Dr Faiz Khaleed – will follow.

The $25m commercial venture with the Russians has been criticised as an expensive venture to boost Malay - rather than Malaysian - self-esteem.

It has taken on an ethnic dimension and is shaping up to be a poor public relations exercise.

Not helping sentiments were comments made by the astronaut himself.

Instead of crediting it as a national effort, he chose to emphasise ethnicity, bringing items representing his nationality and culture for his nine-day stay on the craft.

"We are bringing some of our space food, Malaysian food actually, it's more for [our] cultural programme," said Shukor.

According to his mission blog, Shukor's cultural food selections include Biryani Chicken, Rendang Tok, Satay Ayam, and Kuih Raya Bangkit.

He also packed a popular children's toy, a large spinning top called a "gasing," to show to Malaysian students during a planned live downlink.

"I am also hoping to wear a Batik shirt in space," Shukor wrote on his website."

Surprisingly, it failed to spark Malaysian pride, but has instead caused dissension and cynicism, with most Malays feeling proud and other races dismissing its national significance for the money spent.

Cynicism

A Pulau Pinang state Exco member for Gerakan (a partner of the ruling Barisan Nasional), Dr Toh Kin Woon said:

“Somehow race consciousness has taken such deep roots in the Malaysian political psyche that to uproot it is not an easy task at all.”

The criticism centres on the following afctors: -

(1) It is seen as a Malay effort, not a Malaysian one. Selection of two Malay astronauts and the unnecessary emphasis on Malay culture, rather than a national, multi-racial venture have switched off many non-Malays.

(2) Critics say it just a tourist space flight, a new in-thing in world tourism for the super-rich, rather than a scientific breakthrough for the ‘guest’ astronaut. “Any one who is fit, healthy and rich can go,” said one analyst, who calls it “an expensive taxi ride.”

Michael Sun asked: “How does it improve our science and technology? Dr Sheikh Muszaphar is nothing more than a space tourist, except that we have to pay for him.”

Dragonheart suggested, “It is more benifical if we sent engineers and technicians to learn how to built a rocket, then maybe 100 years from now we can built our own rocket or space craft to travel to the moon and mars.”

(3) The price tag of US$25m is too stiff a price to pay for a “feel good” trip that could have gone a long way towards helping the needy. “And all this just for the self-esteem of the Malays,” was one comment.

The former New Straits Times Editor, A. Kadir Jasin said after basking in the glory “we must get back to the real world.. of real people.”

He added: “(It is) the world of the struggling farmers, fishermen, factory and office workers, small traders, taxi drivers, Tsunami and flood victims, single mothers, the sick and the destitute, the jobless and the unemployable.

“In the final analysis, however, it is the bread-and-butter issues such as the rising cost of living, the widening income gap, the falling rate of job creation, the rising rate of crime and the growing rate of drug addiction that matter.

“Pardon me if I accidentally puncture your balloon and spoil your party.”

One blogger said he had SMSed 30 people an hour before the flight and three-quarter of them were either appeared disinterested or unimpressed, with comments ranging from "What do I care? to “Waste of money!"

Sad to say, he added, “Not all Malaysians are proud of it.”

Some, however, spoke up for the Malaysian doctor. Temmongong said, ”Congratulations and best wishes Dr. Muszaphar. Folks, be gracious!”
Oct 14, 2007