Astronaut's research report for Cabinet

SHAH ALAM, Aug 12 (Daily Express) -- A report on the findings of the research and studies conducted by the country's first astronaut, Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, at the International Space Station (ISS) will be presented to the Cabinet by the end of this month, said Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said the report needed to be studied by the Cabinet first before it was announced to the public and only then could the future of the country's astronaut programme be considered.

"The Cabinet will decide on all future programmes, big or small, and the Ministry will make suggestions.

"With our current economic situation we need to focus on investment in sectors that yield faster and provide maximum income, and this will have an impact on programmes such as the astronaut programme," he told a press conference after the ministry's monthly assembly and 2008 Excellent Service Awards presentation, here today.

Ongkili said although the second astronaut programme had not yet been decided on, the ministry would still send Major Dr Faiz Khaleed to undergo training to ensure continuity of Malaysia's space programme.