By Aaron Rao
Recently I had a pretty interesting talk with one of my close acquaintance. She said “why do Malaysia try like to create record breaking ‘achievements’?”
The answer to that question is pretty debatable. I for one am more on the pessimist side.
Let us look at the latest record Malaysia or the government has set. The Angkasawan Programme. As much as it could be applauded to aspire young Malaysians to venture into rocket science, many argued that it is actually a gigantic waste of tax payers’ money. A whopping USD 45 million was used to fund the project and from the looks of it, Malaysians got nothing out of it except for some newspaper headlines, and a good looking spaceman who didn’t actually get far in space. USD 45 million could be much better used for already on going government projects. For instance building the Penang Monorail years ago, improve road infrastructure or helping the country reduce poverty.
I can’t ignore that the country did benefitted from technology transfer of the SU-30MKM fighter jets deal with the Russians. But I can’t ignore the fact that they could’ve gotten the deal at a more cost-efficient way.
Plus there are some pretty questionable issues on some decisions. For instance why was the more handsome of the two candidates picked for the slot? *laughs* (I know that’s stupid) Higher fan base maybe? And why not choose from the best group of local military pilots as a candidate? It saves time and money for training, and military pilots are obviously more qualified as they control multi-million dollar machines daily.
Now that he’s back from space “visiting”, his job is giving speeches on how to it feels to be a spaceman rather than teaching what he learned from his experience learning “spaceman 101”.
This is perhaps part of the governments role (besides ruling/governing), to create spectacularity to wow the country to keep their support. But somehow I’m pretty sure that the rakyat with give stronger support if they actually benefit from programs like this.
Ours is a developing country, and we could ill afford to spend such sum of money to send someone up to space when there are still people in the country that could lead much better lives with just a small percentage of the cost used to fund the program. Do what is needed to improve the country internally rather than externally showing our short lived capability.
An empty tin can makes the loudest sound. Let us not make Malaysia an empty can.
Kasikampus family wishes all students best of efforts in the current examinations.
to read about the vision and mission of projek angkasawan, you can go to: http://www.mosti.gov.my/MostePortal/website/Parlimen/Angkasa/Dewan%20Negara/bil%202%20soalan%20no%2027%20angkasa.pdf
actually the vision n mission of projek angkasawan is wasting the society’s money..thats all…this time i should agree with u mr. aaron rao..
It’s ironic is it not? They have roughly fulfilled the “mission” and “Vision”. But the thing is, who said the “mision” and “vision” was beneficial to the society at this present point of time? It would be better if the government showed us the benefits received from the “experiments” done on space. Another question pops up though, are going to send another one? There goes the taxpayer’s money..lol…
i always wonder why our gov really love the ‘Mission’ & Vision’..
Sekolah..hospital..everywhere..do other country have that?
yes we should have our M & V but is that necessary? plus framing it all around gov dprtmnt lg..
instead of stating the M & V .. whatever happen to the M & V they accomplished? tak state plak..
and about the angkasawan thing..well i guess good looks give them another bonus.. not just as an ‘astronaut’ but after he comes back..he gives a lot of ‘advert’ back to gov..maybe thats why he was selected…not to say faiz is not good looking or anything but its kinda obvious that mr. sms have the a certain character of his own…i still dont know if its true about the ‘real’ mr. sms but he sure knows how to win ppls heart..and faiz gets to go jugak what..just have to wait longer..or until gov have enough money haha..why dont they just create an sms sytem to get the money..im sure lots of Msian dont mind to sms on that haha..
well i hope this ‘new’ gov will make use of the money in a proper way..its a history already..haha
thats not govt money btw…its our money…people money…remember that
well then its not for ‘me’ to remember…remember that too..
eh chill la. jgn emo. anyway sakiinah, u mentioned “always wonder why our gov really love the ‘Mission’ & Vision’..Sekolah..hospital..everywhere..do other country have that?”
i think its essential to have a mission and vision in whatever we do, at least u have something to achieve and to keep us on the right path. thats if the mission and vision stated is beneficial to both the organisation and the public at mass.
yeah but the mission is too many to achieve and full of unfullfilled promised. still, there’s still room for improvement afterall no gov is prefect anyway. hehe