: : Sam's : :

Let's talk about the stupid space program that we, I mean the Russian, have recently sent our Angkasawan (astronaut) to the space. The trip was successful. Many ministers said that the Angkasawan program has enlightened the nation and this is a national pride to prove that Malaysia Boleh!

As a Malaysian, it's a shame to learn that the trip is indeed an exchange 'gift' of purchasing aircrafts from Russia. It costs us USD 900mil for 18 aircrafts (as what is said by the Ministry of Defense, USD 50mil per aircraft). Russia somehow likes this customer very much and promises to give a ticket for a Malaysian to be sent into the space as a gift for purchasing 18 aircrafts. The gift is not free of charge. In order to claim the ticket, our government has to spend another RM 90mil to get it. There goes the Angkasawan.

But in NASA website, our Angkasawan is not considered as an astronaut. He is merely a Spaceflight Participant.. .check out NASA news. Our government denied the statement, they claimed, 'our astronaut is real and all Malaysians should be proud of him. And we consider sending the second Angkasawan into the space...' Duhz..

So, the Russian helps us to send a Malaysian into the space. What's next? Build our own space station? Buy more weaponary like submarines, tanks, and AK-47 from Russia in order to get more tickets to the space? Is this the-more-you-buy, the-more-you-win thingy?

It was said that a well-trained dog can complete the tasks that what our Angkasawan had been trained for:

a. Do not push any buttons or turn any knobs.
b. Float around for a few days and return home.

Screw 'Malaysia Boleh'. It is always a false pride. If we can send all the ministers who support this program into the space, then I would be impressed by 'Malaysia Boleh'. OH? Too expensive to send so many ministers into the space? Nevemind, just buy a 1-way ticket. Don't come back to Earth.