Digest on Malaysian News

As expected, our Space Participant is now scott free. Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and the government has no gut whatsoever to take any action against his alleged wrong doing.

I have predicted this verdict in my previous post, Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Mustapha probe almost ended. The reason is simply (a kid from the Tadika can also understand it) because if the government punish our Space Participant, it will be like slapped one own's face. Abdullah Badawi, Najib and Ongkili wouldn't want to drop their water face punishing their sponsored space tourist.

In fact, this result was only announced today after the by-election in Kuala Terengganu. Should they announced it before the polling day, BN candidate would even lose heavily.




From TheStar

No action against angkasawan: Science Minister

By DHARMENDER SINGH

PUTRAJAYA: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will not be taking any action against angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha over allegations that he had pocketed RM1.2mil from a series of talks.

Its minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili investigations into the allegations had concluded that the angkasawan had contravened a few clauses in his contract with the ministry.

He said the ministry had sent a show-cause letter to Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and he had explained that he gave the talks after office hours or while overseas, so his work at the ministry was in no way affected.

“He (Dr Sheikh Muszaphar) has provided his explanation to the queries in the letter including why he charged for the talks and we feel that it is acceptable, so there is no reason to take the matter any further,” he told reporters after launching the ministry’s logo here on Monday.

He said the investigations also revealed that although Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was paid for the talks he gave locally and overseas, the amount he was paid in no way amounted to over a million ringgit.

Ongkili also explained that there were certain “grey areas” in Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s existing contract with the ministry and this was part of the reason it could not take any action.

He said the ministry’s lawyers would start working on a new contract after the Chinese New Year holidays and were expected to have it ready next month.

“The new contract will look into the weaknesses in the existing contract and address them accordingly.

“Dr Sheikh Muszaphar has expressed his wish to continue working with the ministry and in the programme but it will be up to him to decide whether to accept the new terms,” he said.

Speaking to reporters later Monday, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said he will not make a decision on renewing his contract until he sees the new one the Ministry is drafting.

“There has been some miscommunications between me and the ministry.

“These would be the areas I would want to look into in the new contract,” he said at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport where he was joining a team of volunteers from Pemuda Masjid on their way to the Gaza Strip with aid for Palestinian victims.

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