THE Malays believe that when you choke on your food, someone somewhere out there has just mentioned your name.

Judging by how often he was mentioned at the UMNO general assembly, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor must have choked at least 45 times in the past few days.

His name was mentioned not once or twice, but by nearly all speakers, some 40 of them, who debated the presidential address as well as the motion of economy and education yesterday.

Malaysia's first man in space has, in fact, featured prominently since Tuesday when the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings held their respective assemblies.

Mention of Malaysia's first man in space was made in positive tones - referred to as a symbol of excellence and as an inspirational figure for the Malays.

Speakers have even coined a new verb, mengangkasakan, choosing to pepper their speeches liberally with the term.

The word has nothing to do with rockets, but judging by its application, denotes the act of uplifting or elevating the Malays - literally, until the reaches of outer space.

Who used mengangkasakan first remains a mystery, but it was made popular no less by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who themed his speech at the joint opening of the party's Youth, Wanita and Puteri assemblies on Monday Mengangkasakan Tamadun Bangsa, which translates to striving for the Malay success story beyond the limits.

Speakers appear to have conspired to use the word in all their speeches and dazzle the delegates in the process. And dazzle they did.

For many trips, it is never just about the destination, but also the journey. In Dr Sheikh's case, however, it was all about the destination.

KUALA LUMPUR: Not many are aware that a 31-year-old Sabahan holds the world record as the first woman to become a MiG-29 fighter pilot. Now RMAF Captain Patricia Yapp Syau Yin hopes the Government will seriously consider her request to be Malaysia's first female astronaut.

"The recent success of our first angkasawan has opened the eyes of many people, including myself. I hope to continue that success," she said. Patricia beat nine other participants in the five-minute Ratu Inspirasi contest segment of TV3's popular women's programme, Nona, recently.

The segment, which began airing on Aug 12, featured 10 of the country's top female achievers. "I didn't expect to win. I thought the winner of such contests would be someone from a corporate background," said Patricia, who is a fighter pilot with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

"All the contestants have distinctive values and are no less successful than the other," she said. "The reason might be due to the work I do, which is still perceived as a novelty among women." The fact that she is in a field monopolised by men, and one focused on serving the country, might have contributed to her win.

"I hope this will open the public's eyes, especially women, that we can do anything we want if we have faith in ourselves. Gender is not an issue anymore," said Patricia who received RM10,000, a pearl set from Rafflesia The Pearl Centre worth RM35,000 and a hamper from Mustika Ratu.

These were presented by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah at TV3's Ratu Inspirasi prize-giving ceremony at Park Royal Hotel. During her early involvement with RMAF, Patricia, who had been chosen to board America's most sophisticated aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan last year, said it wasn't smooth sailing initially.

"Since I was young, I knew this was what I wanted to do. The fact that my brother, who was a pilot with Malaysia Airlines, was also one of the reasons for my determination.

"My parents, especially my father, didn't approve. They were sceptical of a woman wanting to be a fighter pilot. They thought it was not a suitable job for a woman," she said. "After looking at my achievements in this field, they finally turned around and I know they couldn't be happier," said Patricia, who is now based in Kuantan.

Patricia was given the opportunity to get some hands-on experience with the MiG-29 'Fulcrum' in 1998, which she described as nerve-racking.

"Words couldn't describe it. It's normal to feel nervous, and I knew it was something I had to overcome if I really wanted to be a fighter jet pilot," she reminisced. "After much practice and experience, I feel more confident now," said Patricia, whose next aim is to pilot the much-touted Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter from Russia.

"As far as I know, no woman has ever piloted the 'Flanker'. I hope I can be the first," said Patricia, the second of three siblings.

She also intends to become a qualified flying instructor. "When you are a pilot, you will be trained as an instructor and I'm looking forward to that. I'd like to share my experience with the younger generation and hope to see more women in this field in the future."

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia's next astronaut, Major Dr Faiz Khaleed, 27, is not encouraged to marry before his space mission in 2011.

Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis said this was to ensure that he could give full attention to his training before the blast-off.

"I'm afraid that if he (Dr Faiz) were to get married (earlier), he would be thinking of his wife and children and this could hamper his training and when he is in space," he told reporters at an Aidilfitri open house hosted by his ministry at Sirim Bhd here today.

Jamaludin, however, said it was up to Dr Faiz to decide when he wanted to end his bachelorhood as it was merely a suggestion and not an obligation.

The country's first astronaut, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, 34, recently announced that he would marry before 2009.

Jamaludin said the government would send Dr Faiz for training soon after it received a formal invitation from the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) to join a space mission at the latest in 2011.

"I have also informed NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) that we will be visiting the agency at the end of this year or early next year to discuss the possibility of Dr Faiz doing a stint there."

He said Dr Faiz would be joined by a secondary crew member who would be chosen soon.

Jamaludin said two astronaut candidate finalists from the first-round selection, namely Malaysia Airlines (MAS) pilot Mohamed Faiz Kamaluddin, 34, and the sole woman candidate, S. Vanajah, 35, an engineer, would join the finalists in the second intake.

"The search for the final two candidates will be decided by the panellists led by Tun Hanif Omar who determined the selection criteria in collaboration with Russia and NASA," he said. One of the successful candidates will be Dr Faiz's back-up crew member.

Jamaludin said the ministry would propose to the Cabinet to declare Oct 10 as Astronaut Day to commemorate the day Dr Sheikh Muszaphar went into orbit.

On the proposed purchase of the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft which took the astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), he said if the negotiation succeeded it would be turned into a monument to commemorate Astronaut Day.

The first Malaysian space traveller Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor returned to Earth just three weeks ago, but already the country is planning to send another astronaut to the International Space Station on board a Russian spacecraft.

On October 21, the Russian Soyuz TMA-11 spaceship landed in Kazakhstan.

It brought back to Earth the two members of the 15th expedition to the ISS, Oleg Kotov and Fyodor Yurchikhin, who'd spent more than six months in space. But there was also a third man on board on the craft - Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, the first-ever Malaysian in space, whose time at the ISS was brief but still significant.

"I feel really great. I feel excited to be the first Malaysian in space. Malaysia will have its own space rocket," he exclaimed.

Russian space officials confirmed that talks are underway with Malaysia over co-operation on future projects.

Anatoly Perminov, the Head of Russian Space Agency commented, "We spoke on a number of issues with Malaysian authorities, including our future co-operation and about their next astronaut to go into space in around 2010."

"We are also discussing selling them the spaceship which the Malaysian astronaut was on," he added.

The first Malaysian astronaut spent 11 days in space - and a whole year of training in Russia. This, he says, was the key.

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor says he fell in love with the country, and most of all with its people, and that it was the best time of his life.

KUALA LUMPUR: National spacemen Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha and Major Dr Faiz Khaleed were today commissioned as cosmonauts by the Russian government.

The commissioning was done by Anatoly Perminov, the chairman of Roskosmos (Russian National Space Agency), at Star City, Russia at 4pm Russian time (8pm in Malaysia).

Science, Technology and Innovations Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Hanan Alang Endut and National Space Programme director Colonel Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh were present at the ceremony.

Dr Zulkeffeli, when contacted by Bernama tonight, said that the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through its representative at the commissioning ceremony, also recognised the duo as astronauts.

On Oct 10, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar together Russian flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko and commander Peggy Wilson from the United States took off in a Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). The Malaysian astronaut returned to Earth on Oct 21.

Malaysia's first astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor has requested his 2-year contract with the government be shortened, not because he has lost interest in the space program but to get married, local press reported on Tuesday.

At a gathering to honor him in parliament here on Monday, the 35-year-old bachelor said he had conveyed the request to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Jamaludin Jarjis.

The 2-year contract, which was also signed by fellow astronaut Faiz Khaleed, ends next year, the New Straits Times reported.

"I'm already 35 and ready to get married. I hope to settle down by 2009," said Sheikh Muszaphar.

However, he declined to say whether he had already found a partner.

With a smile, he said he wanted to keep his personal life private.

ANGKASAWAN Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor has requested his two-year contract with the government to be shortened, not because he has lost interest in the space programme but to get married.

The 35-year-old bachelor said he had conveyed the request to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.

The two-year contract, which was also signed by fellow astronaut Major Dr Faiz Khaleed, ends next year.

Dr Muszaphar said: "I'm already 35 and ready to get married. I hope to settle down by 2009."

Speaking to reporters at a gathering to honour him and Dr Faiz in parliament yesterday, Dr Muszaphar however declined to say whether he had already found a partner.

With a smile, he said he wanted to keep his personal life private.

Jamaludin said Dr Faiz would most probably have to sign a 4+2 year contract with the government if he was chosen to go to space in 2010 or 2011.

The reception for Dr Muszaphar and Dr Faiz was organised by the Backbenchers Club.

The banquet hall where the function was held was adorned with banners congratulating Dr Muszaphar on his successful mission to space.

A video on the Malaysian space programme was also shown.

The astronauts' visit created a frenzy among MPs and parliament staff who jostled to get a picture and autographs from the duo.

Later at a question-and-answer session with the MPs, Dr Muszaphar said he did not feel any anxiety during his sojourn in space.

"Although people said I looked panicky and stressed, I felt calm throughout Ramadan due to the support and prayers from all Malaysians.

"If I looked uneasy, it was during my three hours in the Soyuz spacecraft as my legs developed cramps as the space was small."

He said he was proud to fly the Jalur Gemilang and recite the Rukun Negara in the International Space Station.

THERE is no stopping the Space Mania, following last month's successful space venture of angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. 

RUSSIA has offered to sell to Malaysia the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft used by angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor in his historic journey to space.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said the offer would be considered after garnering feedback from various quarters.

However, he declined to reveal the price set by Russia.

"The Russians have offered the craft to us. The offer is good but we will have to negotiate the price. If it is reasonable, the matter will be forwarded to the cabinet for consideration," he told reporters during a visit by astronauts Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Major Dr Faiz Khaleed to parliament yesterday.

Jamaludin said he hoped the offer would be raised and debated by MPs in the house.

He said there were suggestions that a site was set up to mark Malaysia's success in sending a Malaysian to space.

He said the Soyuz spacecraft could be displayed at the site which could generate long-term interest in aerospace."If we can bring it to Malaysia, it will inspire our younger generation. They can explore the interior and experience the feeling of being in a spacecraft. This will certainly fire up their passion."

Jamaludin said he would also propose to the cabinet to declare Oct 10 as Hari Angkasa (Space Day) to mark the historic event.

He also said a foundation would soon be set up to care for the welfare of both astronauts.

Several private corporations had voiced their interest to help the space programme and the duo in their nationwide roadshow, which is scheduled to start next year.

Jamaludin said the search for a third angkasawan would start next year to accompany Dr Faiz in his training for the 2010 or 2011 space journey.

KUALA LUMPUR: The flag that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor brought back from space will be raised twice a year at the Umno headquarters here - during the Umno general assembly and on Merdeka day.

Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the flag, presented to him earlier by Dr Muszaphar and Major Dr Faiz Khaleed, would be an inspiration to the Malays.

"This flag marked with the stamp of the International Space Station, proves that it was the same flag that Dr Muszaphar brought up to space.

"Whenever this flag flies at Umno headquarters from the top of Menara Dato Onn, it will be a reminder to Malays that if they equip themselves with knowledge, they will reach the heights of excellence," he said during his address yesterday.

"This flag will become Umno's property. It will be flown only twice a year, then kept safely until it is raised again," added Abdullah to loud applause from delegates in Dewan Merdeka at the Putra World Trade Centre.

Before his address, Dr Muszaphar and Dr Faiz presented the Prime Minister with the Jalur Gemilang.

Delegates gave them a thunderous reception, a standing ovation when their arrival was announced. The clapping continued as they took the seats next to the stage, waving to the delegates. A 10-minute video clip showing the highlights of the Angkasawan programme was also shown.

The lights were dimmed as delegates were taken through the top moments of the programme from the training sessions, the announcement of Dr Muszaphar and Dr Faiz as the final candidates, the launch on Oct 10 to the landing on Oct 21.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis then led the two angkasawan on stage.

There was a light moment as Dr Muszaphar and Dr Faiz stepped offstage when the master of ceremonies asked: "By the way, are both of you UMNO members yet?"

Those present laughed as she added: "If not, there are application forms right here."

The duo did not stay long as they had to leave for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport for their flight to Moscow for the inauguration ceremony at Star City on Thursday.

SEPANG: Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha has described the offer by Russia to sell to Malaysia the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft in which he went to the International Space Station (ISS) as great news.

Met by reporters at the KL International Airport here tonight, he said that if the purchase was successful, all Malaysians will get to see an actual spacecraft "with their own eyes".

"They will also have a better idea about my trip into space while Malaysian scientists and others can get invaluable information from studying it," he said.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Malaysia's second astronaut Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed left for Moscow, Russia together with their respective families at 11.45pm.

The duo will spend three weeks at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow, which will culminate in their recognition as full-fledged cosmonauts in a traditional ceremony to be arranged by Roscosmos, Russia's space agency.