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6th January, 2009
PUTRAJAYA: The renewal of the country’s first astronaut, Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha’s, contract with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will depend on the investigation into his case which is expected to be completed in two weeks.
Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said till now Dr Sheikh Muszaphar had not given any evidence on the allegations that he charged high fees for his lectures and a date is being set for a meeting with him by his (Ongkili’s) deputy Fadillah Yusof.
“He has just come back from performing the ‘haj’. So in a few weeks there will be a discussion between him and the deputy minister to resolve matters arising and I am confident it will be done amicably.
“We will see how serious the whole thing is. He has to answer a few things and then we will see if we are satisfied with the answer,” Ongkili told reporters after chairing the first meeting board meeting of the Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) yesterday.
Sheikh Muszaphar is alleged to have charged RM8,000 an hour to give a lecture and alleged to have amassed RM1.2 million from his lectures. A special panel was then set up by the ministry to investigate the matter and Sheikh Muszaphar was also reported to give evidence to the panel yesterday.
Ongkili however said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar also had to write in to have the contract, which expired last year, renewed.
“We have discussed the extension for Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed, on a year to year basis. The same thing will be offered to Dr Sheikh Muszaphar subject to the outcome of the investigation,” he said.
Ongkili said the astronaut programme planned for this year would not be affected and would go on.
“Life has to go on, it is good for them to give back but if they have no obligation to contribute then we must move on and find other people,” he said.
On the YIM, Ongkili said the foundation will increase awareness, creative culture and innovation among the grassroots including the disabled, prisoners and those in rehabilitation centres.
He said discussion sessions will be held with associations and authorities and so far a dialogue had been held with the Malaysian Association for the Blind to find out their needs from the technological aspect.
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