So what?

malaysia's first space tourist has safely returned to earth. Note that i refuse to use the word astronaut.

All i can say is, "so what?"

Don't get me wrong. I wish him well and i wish him a safe journey home. I hope the best of his personal wellbeing.

But for the country's sake, so what?

So what if we manage to get 1 person to space?

In an interview with the NST, YAB Dato Seri Najib said "This is a very momentous and historic occasion for Malaysia. It will go down in the annals of our history because this is a first for Malaysia in space and he has returned safely.

"The entire mission will be a landmark voyage for Malaysia."

Same question from me. "SO WHAT?"

Then he said, "There are benefits we have reaped from the mission. The tangible benefits would be ascertained from our analysis of the scientific experiments conducted and results achieved and whether they would lead to commercialisation."

Does any other non-delusional malaysian actually think that the scientific experiments carried out by a doctor who is in "real life" training to be an orthopaedic surgeon and not some scientist will actually help malaysia in any way?

For goodness sake, we never really used 1st hand technology. Our so called "national cars" aren't national in the core at all. Our so called "pride of the nation" KLCC was designed by some americanised argentinian.

Even if our unis managed to discover something in the science field, I highly doubt their application. But correct me if i'm wrong. I might be fooled by the fact that malaysian universities are way way down on global leagues.

Najib continues his talk saying, "The intangible benefit is, as a nation, Malaysians feel very proud that we can stand a few inches taller now that we have had a Malaysian travel in space."

Wow. So what do we need next? we had people climbing up everest, we had people swimming across channels, we had people making all sorts of records like biggest flag, biggest kolam, biggest kuih, or anything else anybody can think of.

Does it all matter at all?

Oh well, i don't mind this sort of "extras" on "entertainment" if we could afford it. Or if everything else is well. Or there's nothing else to do. Entertainment is good treatment for "joblessness".

But US$900 million on this? Of course Najib and the Ministry of Defense will say that it's a part of a deal for 18 Sukhoi jet planes to boost the defense system of malaysia.
The deal dates back to 2003. In May 2007, we manage to see the first 2 planes delivered. 4 years late! by the time it's delivered, it could have been obsolete! what boost for defense system?

And if anybody didn't notice, the ministry of defence have gone pretty much silent bout the delivery of the other 16 aircrafts and just create much hoo-haa bout the "space tour".

A good US$900 mil which could otherwise been used in so many ways. I can tell u where. The education ministry needs help. The whole system needs a revamp because the so-called KBKK (to promote critical thinking) is not working and will not work unless we have smaller classes. How do we make a class of 45 all speak at the same time and discuss an issue thoughtfully within such a short period of time? We need to build better buildings to replace all those broken ceilings and roofs. The transport ministry need money. Oh, they don't? Just come to Sarawak and Sabah or the rural parts of Penisular Malaysia. (i'm not talking about klang valley, of course.) Come on, some places in Borneo are only connected by slow river transport (even as the space tourist zooms to space). Lack of transport prevents growth, and access to public utilities, causing the worsening of the social and economic inequalities. I dare say US$ 900 m is enough to eradicate poverty if properly utilised in some areas of malaysia.

But wait, "properly utilised" is something that is rarely seen in malaysia.

I don't know bout u but i was pretty much satisfied seeing national annual budgets the past few years. The ministers were satisfied too and said that the finance and also prime minister actually made a very comprehensive budget.

Then what's going on?

So they shout, "Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang." So they shout,"Malaysia Boleh".

Stop the pretense.