MORE PICS - KLIA Palentine Stowaway on SIA to S'PORE to be Charged; Malaysia orders Probe; 4 dead & 4 Injured - M'sian ferry fire - Pulau Tioman

MORE PICS - KLIA Palestinian Stowaway on SIA to S'PORE to be Charged; Malaysia orders Probe; 4 dead & 4 Injured in M'sian ferry fire Pulau Tioman to Mersing

UPDATE: October 16, 2007 20:32 PM
MAHB Lodges Police Report On Stowaway Incident

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Tuesday lodged a police report calling on the authorities to conduct thorough investigations into the incident of a Palestinian man slipping into Singapore on a Singapore Airlines plane which flew in from KL International Airport (KLIA).

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the report was lodged to enable the Malaysian police to conduct full-scale investigations into the October 11 incident, including interviewing the Palestinian, who is being held in Singapore. "We just received a report from the Singapore police yesterday. Based on that, we made a police report this morning to enable Malaysian police to start investigations. "This is because there are a lot of questions left unanswered in this case especially as to the real intention of this gentleman. Based on the little information we have, the immigration records show there is no record of him entering Malaysia legally and how he survived under that kind of situation...up in 29,000 feet," he told reporters today. Chan said he could not comment much on the incident as it was now under police investigations but the public should not doubt the security aspect at KLIA.

"I must tell you the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) has just conducted security audit on KLIA and we have complied with all ICAO requirements," he said. Chan said MAHB closed-circuit surveillance cameras also did not pick up any visual of the Palestinian anywhere in the airport and checks at the airport's security fences did not reveal any sign of break-ins.

"So many questions are left unanswered. We need to go through thoroughly. Let our police take some time to look into it," he said. He, however, declined to divulge contents of the Singapore police report on the incident or whether there was any breach in security at KLIA. A Palestinian, Osama R.M. Shublaq, 27, managed to sneak into a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200 aircraft via the nose wheel last Thursday. The Palestinian stunned the ground crew waiting to serve flight SQ119 from KLIA when the man fell from the nose wheel of the aircraft after it landed at the Changi International Airport just past midnight. He was handed over to the police and was charged in a Singapore court on Friday with entering the country illegally without a valid permit. He faces up to six months' jail or a fine of up to S$6,000 (RM14,000). Chan, who had ordered for a full probe into the incident, received a report today.

= == = == == = ==
Malaysiakini finally has the KLIA SIA Plane Hitch Hiiker to S'PORE story as

KLIA plane wheel stowaway charged in S'pore court Oct 13, 07 3:51am and a new one

Second citizen into space in 2 years Oct 13, 07 5:45am

The KLIA Airport authorities were embarrassed when informed from the Singapore end. And this could possibly be due to the lack of security in the month of Ramandan that he managed to get into the aircraft taking off area. He could well be an employee in the airport and must have some good advice from friends where to hide. He was also lucky the nose landing gear did not crushed him up when retracted.

The failure of the Big Screen on Dataran Merdeka for the Soyuz lift off is another example.
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Oct 13, 2007

M'sia orders probe into SIA jet stowaway

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA said on Saturday it has ordered a full inquiry into how a Palestinian stowaway hid in the nose wheel well of a plane on a flight to Singapore.

The predictable & standard reply from the Transport Minster, - a through Investigation, an Inquiry or a probe for any mishap, crash, accident related to transport.

'I am very unhappy with the preliminary report on the incident. The airport is a security area, this should not have happened,'

Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said according to the state Bernama news agency. The 27-year-old Palestinian stowaway, Osama R.M. Shublaq, hid in the nose wheel well of Singapore Airlines flight SQ 119 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). He is reported to have fallen about 2.4 metres from the SIA plane's wheel well to the ground after the Boeing 777-2000 taxied to a gate at Changi Airport on Thursday night. He was charged with entering Singapore without a valid pass or permit, and if convicted he could be jailed for up to six months, caned three times or more, or fined up to 6,000 Singapore dollars (4,000 US). Datuk Seri Chan said the Department of Civil Aviation and KLIA's operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad has been ordered to investigate the incident and a report was expected to be submitted on Tuesday. – AFP

= == = == == =Oct 12 2007
Four dead in M'sian ferry fire

KUALA LUMPUR - FOUR people died and four were injured on Saturday when a fire broke out on a ferry travelling from the popular Malaysian tourist island of Pulau Tioman, the state Bernama news agency said. The ferry was bound for Mersing, a port town on Malaysia's east coast which is the main gateway for trips to the holiday island.

Bernama said the ferry carrying 100 passengers was seven nautical miles from Tioman when the fire occurred.It cited a Mersing police spokesman as saying the dead and injured had been taken to a local hospital and that they were gathering information on the victims.It did not say whether the victims were Malaysians or foreigners. -- AFP

ABOVE: One of the ferry in service.

Many ferry operators operate boats and ferries between Mersing and Tioman several times a day. Amongst the most reliable, Blue Water Speedboats operates its first speedboats from Mersing at 7.30 a.m. and its last ones at about 4.30 p.m. depending on tides. Tickets cost RM35 one way. From Tioman, the first boat leaves at 8.00 a.m and the last at about 4.30 p.m. daily

BELOW: Tioman Airport. By plane is faster but more costly of course

= = == and from Bernama
October 13, 2007 17:59 PM

Ferry Catches Fire Near Pulau Tioman: Four Dead, Four Others Injured

JOHOR BAHARU, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Four people died and four others were injured when a ferry cruising from the Genting Jetty in Pulau Tioman to the Mersing Jetty caught fire past noon Saturday. The ferry carrying 100 passengers was seven nautical miles from the Genting Jetty when the fire occurred at 12.30pm.A Mersing police spokesman confirmed the incident. He said the dead and the injured passengers had been taken to the Mersing Hospital. Police were now gathering information on the victims, he added.

= == = == =Go H E R E new updated post ON

MORE PICS & Video – Tioman Ferry Engine Fire 13 Oct 07; 4 Killed 5 Injured; Fire due to overloading and overheating; Ferry with more than 100 passengers and the maximum is 75

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ABOVE: A similar SIA Boeing 777-200 plane in which the stowaway hitch the free ride and BELOW: It was the last flight of the day SQ119


MORE PICS – Palestine Stowaway Survives 55-mins SIA Flight KL-Singapore in Nose Wheel Bay; Osama R M Shublaq fell 2.4 m on Arrival at Service Bay

Oct 12, 2007; S S T

Stowaway survives SIA flight from KL hidden in wheel well

He is said to be a Palestinian who smuggled himself onboard the flight from KL to Singapore.

CHANGI Airport had an unexpected passenger arrival on Thursday night when a Palestinian man dropped out of the wheel well of a Singapore Airlines jetairliner at Changi Airport. The man, Osama R M Shublaq, is said to have been a stowaway aboard SIA Flight SQ 119 that flew in from Kuala Lumpur at around 10:56pm. He stunned ground crew who were waiting to serve the twin-engine Boeing 777-200 after he fell out, apparently dizzy from a lack of oxygen, from the area where the front landing gear is stowed.

The height from the wheel well, (ABOVE) where the landing gear strut and two nose wheels are stowed during flight, to the ground is about 2.4 metres. The stowaway was taken away by Singapore police. The SQ airliner had just taxiied to Gate F33 at Changi Airport's Terminal Two after a 55-minute flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Aviation industry sources said they were surprised the man survived his ordeal.

ABOVE:If he had taken the economy class, he would have been served a cup of coffee but he did not pay and hide himself at the wheel bay. .

They said the flight's short duration could have saved him as the airliner does not have to ascend to the same height as passenger planes on long haul journeys. Furthermore, as the wheel well is not pressurised, the lower flight altitude could have helped the stoway to breathe easier, as compared to an airliner flying in the thin air of around 35,000 to 40,000 feet -- the cruising altitude for most passenger jets. Malaysian airport authorities told The Straits Times that they are reviewing how the man could have breached airport security and smuggled himself aboard the plane. Dato' Azmi Murad, Senior General Manager, Operations, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, said:"We were told by Singapore Airlines this morning that there was a stowaway on SQ 119 from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. We will assist and cooperate with Singapore authorities to investigate on how it happened

= == = = Bernama brief account
October 12, 2007 20:38 PM

Stowaway Onboard SIA Flight From KLIA

SINGAPORE, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- A man who sneaked into a Singapore Airlines (SIA) plane from Kuala Lumpur last night has been handed over to police. Osama R M Shublaq, said to be a Palestinian, hid inside the wheel well of the SIA flight SQ119 that flew in from Kuala Lumpur at 10.56pm,according to a report in the Straits Times' online edition. he man stunned the Changi Airport ground crew who were waiting to serve the twin-engine Boeing 777-200 when he fell out of the area where the front landing gear is stowed, it said.

He was taken away by police. he Straits Times quoted Datuk Azmi Murad, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Senior General Manager (Operations), as saying SIA had nformed MAHB, operator of the KL International Airport in Sepang, about the incident. We will assist and cooperate with Singapore authorities to investigate how it happened," he said.

= = = =and the new Airbus A380 for SIA on Monday before entering service on a Singapore-Sydney route 10 days later.

Oct 13, 2007

Airbus finally ready to deliver A380 to SIA

The plane, which can seat over 800 people, will arrive in S'pore next week

PARIS - AIRBUS will hand Singapore Airlines the first A380 next week, 18 months late but to the widespread relief of the European aerospace industry. The first delivery comes just days after US rival Boeing announced trouble with its flagship project, the mid-sized 787 Dreamliner, which is now six months behind schedule. The A380, the world's biggest passenger jet plane, is one of the most exciting new airliners in nearly 40 years.

It is to be delivered to SIA on Monday before entering service on a Singapore-Sydney route 10 days later. Capable of carrying from 555 to more than 800 passengers, the double-decker plane is Airbus' most ambitious project to date. But it has been racked by problems and has laid bare the difficulties of European industrial cooperation. 'It's not the end of Airbus' problems, but it's a significant step to deliver the first A380,' said aviation analyst Leigh Bailey at ratings agency Standard and Poor's. Airbus announced slips to the A380 schedule on three occasions, principally due to wiring complications. It estimates the cost of the accumulated 18 months of delays at about US$6 billion (S$8.8 billion).

Lack of cooperation between French and German engineers was partly to blame. The group has since launched a severe restructuring plan with 10,000 job cuts expected.

After delays, management changes, sniping between the group's French and German shareholders and financial losses, EADS - the Airbus parent company - is now embroiled in an insider trading scandal linked to the A380 problems. The launch of the plane therefore gives EADS and Airbus a chance to turn the corner. Airbus will hold a ceremony on Monday at its headquarters and main factory in Toulouse, south-west France, with 500 guests expected to witness the hand-over and departure of the aircraft.

About 15 airlines have placed firm orders for the A380. Dubai-based Emirates is the leading client among a customer list that includes predominantly Asian, European and Gulf-based carriers. Around 170 firm orders and 20 preliminary agreements for the A380 are now on the books. But Airbus says it needs to sell 420 of the planes at catalogue prices to cover its costs - up from 270 when the programme was launched in 2000.

Boeing, meanwhile, has no acceptance problems for its 787, with more than 600 orders so far. But the US group is now following in Airbus' footsteps by making embarrassing admissions of delivery delays. Japan's All Nippon Airways Co was first in a line of 50 customers that have ordered the long-haul jets. It was expecting to get the first of its 50 planes next May. But on Wednesday, Boeing announced it was postponing the 787's initial delivery by at least six months, mostly because of problems in its supply chain that have complicated assembly of the first planes on the production line.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ASSOCIATED PRESS

P R E V I E W Coming post

= = = ====+FERRY FIRE - (Pulau Tioman - Mersing) Engine caught fire; possibly due to overloading and overheating. At the start of the Raya Holidays, local tourists were making a beeline to Pulau Tioman for a break. Mostly families with small children tagging along as seen in the coming pictures. Not only is the engine overloaded, the boat capacity is also. According to Police its limit is 75 passengers and on that fateful journey, more than 100 were there. Now it is fear there may be a few other missing person.
(Check back for the coming post, more pics of survivors with badly burned hands and all of them were seating at the back near to the engine room). When the disaster started, it was announced as an emergency and all the passengers panic, there were insufficient life jackets to go around and the engine oil fueled fire spread very quickly. Everyone rushed to the front and those with jackets jumped into the sea. Luckily, other nearby boats & ferries came to fish them out but 4 older people drowned.

ABOVE & BELOW: The Seagull express is the owner of the Ferry whose engine caught fire and spread quickly because of the presence of diesel in the engine compartment

UPDATE Tioman Ferry Fire in ENGINE: The dead are all Malaysian Chinese and the police revealed that the Ferry was overloaded with more than 100 Paks when it has a maximum of 75 only. The following are the victims 4 dead and another two injured cannot be identified.

October 13, 2007 21:37 PM

4 Dead, Four Injured In Ferry Tragedy
MERSING, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Four holidaymakers are confirmed dead and four others are injured after suffering injuries when they jumped off a ferry on fire while cruising to Tioman Island from Mersing at about noon today. When the fire broke at about 12.30pm, the ferry was about seven nautical miles or about 30 minutes from Tioman Island, near Rompin, Pahang. Mersing OCPD DSP Harun Arshad said marine police, fishing and tourist boats sent to the scene for search and rescue operations following a distress call managed to pluck from the sea 94 of the 98 passengers. Four bodies were retrieved from the sea, he told Bernama.

The dead are Hoo Lee Lan, 67, from Kuala Lumpur, Hong See Tiew, 53, The Siew Lian, 52, both from Klang, and Tee Moi @ Haw Lee Maoi, 68, from Batu Pahat. The injured including three women -- Lee Zsi Winn from Johor Baharu, Yong Sait Yoon from Kuala Lumpur, Ngow Lee Ling from Batu Pahat and a boy, Choong Wing Yi, from Kuala Lumpur -- have been admitted to the

Mersing Hospital. Harun said police are recording statements from survivors to gather information on how and where the fire started as well as the actual number of people on board the ill-fated "Seagull" ferry before the incident. All the survivors have been brought to the Mersing district police headquarters, he said. He said police believe the pilot of the ferry, owned by a Mersing-based company, was missing. A search and rescue team was scouring the area for the missing pilot and possible survivors as police believe there could be more passengers on board the ferry, he said, adding that there was no passenger manifest. The bodies have yet to be claimed by their next-of-kin

= = == Watch Video Clio (2 mins) - Tioman Ferry Survivals - the Aftermath

ebing edited & loading

= = = == == == = == == = == = =earlier news story

= == = == == =Oct 12 2007
Four dead in M'sian ferry fire

KUALA LUMPUR - FOUR people died and four were injured on Saturday when a fire broke out on a ferry travelling from the popular Malaysian tourist island of Pulau Tioman, the state Bernama news agency said. The ferry was bound for Mersing, a port town on Malaysia's east coast which is the main gateway for trips to the holiday island.

Bernama said the ferry carrying 100 passengers was seven nautical miles from Tioman when the fire occurred.It cited a Mersing police spokesman as saying the dead and injured had been taken to a local hospital and that they were gathering information on the victims.It did not say whether the victims were Malaysians or foreigners. -- AFP

ABOVE: One of the ferry in service.

Many ferry operators operate boats and ferries between Mersing and Tioman several times a day. Amongst the most reliable, Blue Water Speedboats operates its first speedboats from Mersing at 7.30 a.m. and its last ones at about 4.30 p.m. depending on tides. Tickets cost RM35 one way. From Tioman, the first boat leaves at 8.00 a.m and the last at about 4.30 p.m. daily

BELOW: Tioman Airport. By plane is faster but more costly of course

= = == and from Bernama
October 13, 2007 17:59 PM

Ferry Catches Fire Near Pulau Tioman: Four Dead, Four Others Injured

JOHOR BAHARU, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Four people died and four others were injured when a ferry cruising from the Genting Jetty in Pulau Tioman to the Mersing Jetty caught fire past noon Saturday. The ferry carrying 100 passengers was seven nautical miles from the Genting Jetty when the fire occurred at 12.30pm.A Mersing police spokesman confirmed the incident. He said the dead and the injured passengers had been taken to the Mersing Hospital. Police were now gathering information on the victims, he added.
= == == = == = =and another sad Raya news

MORE PICS - Hari Raya Suicide & Murder; Man & 2 Children Died of Poisonings; Taman Ria, PJ; Quarreled with Wife who left & came back to find the Deaths

When a couple quarreled, there is this anger and hatred towards each other. Emotions like energy, they flow through you; you feel them and then they disappear. When you try to hold them back they build up and exploded into shouting matches with hurtful words.

The wife in this case tried to cool things over by walking out but too late this time. They might have rows after rows before and this must have been the last straw for the man to take the easy way out and also to end the sufferings of the children.

When we are born into this world we have to undergo all the procedures of a human being. We have to be ignorant again, we have to be a baby, a child, a adult and relearn all the things again and gain more experience in other things we lacked in our natural development. We have to suffer all these illusionary desires, and then the disappointment of the unfulfilled desires and all those kind of things until one day we have enough of it and end it all. But are the lessons well learned. Otherwise another round trip and an awful experience again for some

A man and his two children were found dead in their house in Taman Ria (ABOVE), Petaling Jaya Saturday, 13^th Oct 2007, and the 1^st Day of Hari Raya.

Initial police investigation revealed. that they died after drinking poisons. The dead were identified as Shamsul Haji Yaacob 32, Mohd Nisann7 and Mohd Helmi 3. Petaling Jaya police Chief ACP Junaindi said they were trying to identify the type of poisons used.

It was revealed that Shamsul had a quarrel with his wife after which she was said to have left the house. The deaths were discovered when she returned to the house and her calls went unanswered.

The doors then were forced open by damaging the locks at the iron grill and the wooden door

MORE Pics – SOYUZ Docked-Malaysian Tourist Arrived ISS; Bad Omen - Mother hysterical at Lift Off; Muszaphar No confidence - Left 3 Farewell letters

Malaysiakini had a very early report (on Raya Day) on the docking

Soyuz craft docks with space station Oct 13, 07 3:35am and the lead story on Hari Raya wishes
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri from Malaysiakini Oct 13, 07 3:17am

with Malaysia-tv on Race, religion still divide nation: PM
He is feeling very well now. If our DPM Najib is to greet the 1^st Astronaut on his return, Malaysians of all faiths must pray hard as he has no confidence of returning. He seemed to have a premonition when it was reported he handed 3 farewell letters (see report below) to his parents seeking for “forgiveness” should anything untoward happened. It looks like he had no confidence in the mission despite 1 year of training. The Russians should have scuttled the launch if they heard about such a bad omen.
And the backup dentist has been confirmed as the 2^nd Astronaut and who will be the third? And what will this dentist wants to prove in space? Is he going to extract one of his teeth and tell the world that “there is no bleeding at all as in the weightlessness state without gravity, the blood will not flow out?”

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October 12, 2007 21:00 PM

New crew and a tourist arrive at space station

ABOVE: The crew of Six in the ISS now including the "tourist"
(Front row, left to right) Spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor of Malaysia, Yuri Malenchenk and Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson along with (back row, left to right) Expedition 15 crew member Oleg Kotov, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Clayton Anderson. = == = == = == = = == = == = = =

CAPE CANAVERAL (Florida) - A RUSSIAN capsule carrying a new crew for the International Space Station and Malaysia's first astronaut slipped into a berthing port at the orbital outpost on Friday as the space ships sailed 357 km above Earth. The Soyuz spacecraft, which blasted off ON Wednesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, reached the station at 10.50 am (10.50pm Singapore time). About 90 minutes later, hatches between the two vessels opened and Nasa's Peggy Whitson, cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopedic surgeon and part-time model from Malaysia, floated aboard. 'Well, hello,' one of the two Russian cosmonauts currently stationed on the outpost said through a translator. 'Welcome on board.' Ms Whitson and Mr Malenchenko, both of whom have lived on the station previously, were to become the outpost's 16th crew and Whitson its first female commander. The first from his nation to fly in space, Dr Shukor was scheduled to remain aboard the station for eight days conducting medical research while Ms Whitson and Mr Malenchenko learn about station operations from the current crew.

I'm feeling very well: Shukor

'I'm feeling very well,' Dr Shukor said in a televised briefing with officials and guests gathered at the Russian Mission Control Centre outside Moscow. 'I have lots of American and Russian friends on board.' He then heard a familiar voice.

'This is your father. How are you doing?' Dr Shukor's dad asked. 'Very well,' Dr Shukor replied. 'I love you very much.' Dr Shukor's flight is part of a commercial deal Russia cut to sell aircraft to Malaysia. He will return to Earth on Oct 21 with outgoing station commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and flight engineer Oleg Kotov.

The station, a US$100 billion (S$147 billion) project of 16 nations, is a little more than 60 per cent complete, with some of the most complex work still to come. Laboratory modules owned by the European and Japanese space agencies are scheduled to be installed in December and in 2008 respectively, as well as a Canadian-built robotic hand for the station's robot arm. In addition, a European cargo ship called Jules Verne, a French author who pioneered the science fiction genre, is scheduled for a debut flight in February.

Three of the next visiting US space shuttle crews will tackle initial tasks to install the new components, but it will be up to Ms Whitson, Mr Malenchenko and their third flight engineer to prepare for the additions and to complete the work. 'We're doing a lot more of the assembly operations,' Ms Whitson said in a preflight interview. The new crew will not have much time to settle in before the first guests arrive. Shuttle Discovery, set for launch on Oct 23, is expected to deliver a critical connection hub called Harmony to serve as a docking port for the new laboratories. Ms Whitson and Mr Malenchenko start off their six-month mission with Nasa astronaut Clay Anderson, already aboard the station, as their third crewmember. Discovery astronaut Dan Tani will take over Mr Anderson's slot until his replacement, France's Leopold Eyharts, arrives on a shuttle flight in December. -- REUTERS via STS

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October 13, 2007 00:52 AM

Soyuz Spacecraft Docks With ISS; From Abdul Rahman Ahmad

ABOVE: Docked or mated, Soyuz with the Space station and BELOW: the above view of Space ship

MOSCOW, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- After two days of orbiting the earth, the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft carrying Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha docked with the International Space Station (ISS) some 350km above earth at 6.50pm (10.50pm Malaysian time). The Mission Control Centre here erupted into applause as the spacecraft docked with the ISS.

Watching the historic moment were Malaysian Science, Technolony and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis, officials of the Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos, and Head of Manned Space Flights of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Peter Mayor. Also present were Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's parents, Datuk Dr Sheikh Mustapha Sheikh Shukor and Datin Zuraidah Sheikh Ahmad. "Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), I am happy now that I know my son is safe in space," said Dr Sheikh Mustapha after he witnessed the docking. Zuraidah could not control herself and gave a loud laugh after seeing the successful docking. "Now I am satisfied that he has reached his destination," she said.The hatch was opened at 8.22pm (12.22am Oct 13 in Malaysia) after allowing the air pressure in the spacecraft and the ISS to equalise, done through the equaliser connector between the spacecraft and the ISS. The three crew of the spacecraft then entered the ISS one by one, with the first being Commander Peggy Whitson, then Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and lastly Flight Engineer and Soyuz TMA-11 Commander Yuri Malenchenko.

The trio were greeted and welcomed on board the ISS by the three crew of the previous mission, Expedition 15, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov and mission specialist Clay Anderson. The three astronauts of the latest mission, Expedition 16, then engaged in brief teleconferencing with the mission control centre. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor also spoke. He spoke first in Russian to say that he felt good. Then he spoke to Jamaludin, expressing his greetings to all Malaysians and said that he was having "a good time" with his astronaut colleagues.

ABOVE & BELOW: The new kid on the International Space Station speaking excitedly to home

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor also spoke briefly with his father, saying he sent his regards and love to the family and wished "Selamat Hari Raya". He said he hoped to share his experience with all of them upon his return to earth. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is scheduled to conduct several scientific experiments on board the ISS and will return to earth on Oct 21 with Commander Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Kotov. Whitson, who will take over as ISS commander, and Malenchenko will remain on the ISS for the next six months. Anderson will return to earth next month. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Whitson and Malenchenko blasted off the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Oct 10. Dr Skeikh Muszaphar Shukor became the first Malaysian to go into space, made possible by a programme conceived in 2003 when Russia agreed to send a Malaysian to the ISS as part of Malaysia's RM3.4-billion purchase of 18 Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters. Earlier, soon after the docking of the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft with the ISS,

ABOVE & BELOW: The new kid showing off his weightlessness acrobat skills

Jamaludin told a news conference that "Malaysia thanks everyone, including the Russian government and its space agency, and other space agencies such as NASA for their support. "Without your contribution, Malaysia could not have made it in this programme. Malaysia wants to be a permanent member of this (space) community. Malaysia would like to send its second angkasawan (astronaut) into space with the approval of the Russian government, "Malaysia has now entered a new era. (Deputy Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Abdul Razak) will welcome Dr Sheikh (Muszaphar Shukor) when he comes back to earth," he said. Najib is scheduled to be in Moscow on Oct 21 when Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor returns to earth.

Jamaludin said Malaysia was requesting the Russian government for another spot to put another angkasawan in space in the future.

= == = =

Najib To Greet Malaysian Astronaut On His Return From Space

From Abdul Rahman Ahmad

MOSCOW, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri

Najib Tun Razak will be here on Oct 21 to welcome back to earth Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, the first Malaysian to go into space.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said here today Najib, who will represent Malaysia and its people, had confirmed by telephone his presence here on that date. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar is scheduled to return to earth at 6 pm (Russian time) at a location 1,500km from here. He will be with Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, who are now in the International Space Station (ISS). The Malaysian had blasted off into space from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on Oct 10 in the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft with Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko, and is scheduled to dock with the ISS tonight.

Jamaludin said it would take between six and eight hours for the two recovery helicopters to locate the spacecraft and bring the crew to the nearest airport for their flight to Moscow. He also said that he would convey to the Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos, the Malaysian government's decision to have backup astronaut Capt Dr Faiz Khaleed participate in the next space mission. Jamaludin said he would seek the assistance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States to train Dr Faiz to surpass the NASA benchmark for an astronaut. "Both Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Dr Faiz have surpassed the benchmark set by Russia. Now we want them to surpass the American benchmark," he said. Jamaludin said efforts must also be made to find a backup astronaut for Dr Faiz, who himself had been the backup astronaut for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. Meanwhile, Dr Faiz said he was happy to know that the Malaysian government, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Oct 10, had decided to enable him participate in the next space mission.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Leaves Three Letters For Parents

From Abdul Rahman Ahmad

BAIKONUR, (KAZAKHSTAN), Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha who made his maiden space journey tonight left three letters behind for his parents in case anything untoward were to happen uring his 10-day mission. His mother Datin Zuraidah Sheikh Ahmad said the letters were handed to her while they were on the bus ferrying Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor to the launch site. "They were about his love for his family and seeking forgiveness should he not be able to get a chance to voice it again," she said tears streaming down her cheeks. She said that he also asked them to pray for his safe return. recalling the launch moments, Zuraidah said she cried hysterically as she could not bear to see her son leave. The amount of flames that came out during the launch gave me such a fright," she said, adding that only when the rocket smoothly went on its ay did she calm down. Datuk Sheikh Mustafa Sheikh Shukor said he did feel a little fear during the launch moments but he had prepared himself for it and believed verything would go fine. He was very glad his son got to realise his dream and planned to further his career in the field. eanwhile, Maznah Mohamed, the mother of Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed, alaysia's reserve candidate for the mission, said she was happy for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and prayed for his safe return. On her son's wish to continue to be involved space missions, Maznah said it was up to him and that as a mother, he would always get her blessings. Roscosmos, the Russian Space Agency Tuesday said Dr Faiz could be considered for a mission next year or 2009.

= == = == = =and business for this "tourist" will soar in his part-time Restaurant business when he hangs and displays the extra paraphernalia of his sojourn to space. The government should have a cut in commission if he is using the space suit.

Astronaut's Business Partner Proud

ABOVE: Celebrity chef Ismail Ahmad, the business partner of Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, together with his staff and patrons of the Rebung Restaurant in Bangsar proudly watch the blast-off of the Soyuz spacecraft's launch from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- "I feel like I'm walking around without any gravity," exclaimed celebrity chef Ismail Ahmad, the business partner of Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, on his friend's flight into space. Walking about here and there as if he was floating on air, Ismail was ever the busy bee today at the Rebung Restaurant in Bangsar as he took snapshots of his staff next to posters and buntings of his now famous

business partner during breaking-of-the-fast. It was obvious through his demeanour how proud he was of Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's place in history as the first Malaysian in space. Ismail said he never doubted that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor would be the one selected as the country's first representative to venture into "the great unknown". "You're the one doc, you're the one," he kept saying over and over again when asked what he felt about Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's selection as the country's first astronaut. Ismail was not alone in his belief that the good doctor would be chosen as Malaysia's first astronaut as the sentiment was shared by many members of his staff. According to Rebung's head chef, Normah Mustafa, 48, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor had always been a very determined and "go-get-it gung-ho" person, whose self-esteem and confidence were the key for his selection. "I always told him not to worry. Don't worry doctor, I said. You will be chosen," she said, adding that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was a firm but gentle employer who treated the staff like family. When asked how she felt during the launch, she told Bernama that she was nervous and that her nervousness would not subside until he had safely docked with the International Space Station (ISS) and had returned safely to earth. Flashes of pride and joy were clearly reflected in the her eyes whilst joy and excitement danced with every footstep of Ismail's even though he is suffering from gout. In fact, according to Ismail, he met Dr Sheikh Muszaphar when the doctor treated him for his ailment six years ago. "I discovered his love for food when he treated me for gout. That's how we came up with the idea of opening Rebung," he said. A positive side-effect of having the country's first celebrity astronaut

as a business partner has given Rebung a chance to expand as Dr Sheikh

Muszaphar has recently agreed and signed on to franchise the business.

"A secondary but more beneficial side-effect to the country is Sheikh's positive influence on the children of the restaurant's patrons as they are now keen on becoming astronauts and learning more about science, technology and space," Ismail said. "Parents would come up to me when I'm out in shopping malls and ask if they could buy the T-shirt (Sheikh Muszaphar's promotional T-shirt) that

I'm wearing," beamed the proud chef. A mixture of electrically charged emotions intensified the atmosphere at Rebung Restaurant during the blast-off of the Soyuz spacecraft carrying Malaysia's first astronaut into space. Rebung Restaurant's manager, Lina Ali, was seen sobbing softly as tears of pride and joy trickled from her eyes as she watched the rocket's launch from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. "I'm overjoyed, but I'm also very frightened for his safety. But I'm

also praying to Allah for his safety and I hope that nothing will happen to the rocket," she said. The restaurant was packed with patrons who were there not only for their "buka puasa" (breaking of fast) fare but also in anticipation of

Malaysia's first big leap into the final frontier. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's driver cum bodyguard Ismail Sharif, 39, said the nation's pride and joy was a born leader and someone very easy to work with who was extremely determined to be the country's first man in space. "He would tell me to drive 60 kilometres per hour or 40 kilometres per hour and he would run behind me. Then when we've reached our destination he would ask me how long it took for him to get there. He was always perfecting himself, improving himself so that he would be where he is now. I am so proud of him," he said with a smile.

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October 11, 2007 01:13 AM

Dr Faiz To Be Malaysia's Second Astronaut

SECOND IN LINE? Backup Angkasawan Dentist Capt. Dr Faiz Khaleed, 27, after the announcement of Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor as Malaysia's first angkasawan (cosmonaut). Dr Faiz is to be Malaysia's second astronaut should there be any offer from Russia for a Malaysian to join any of its future Soyuz missions to the ISS.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Dentist Capt Dr Faiz Khaleed, 27, is to be Malaysia's second astronaut should there be any offer from Russia for a Malaysian to join any of its future Soyuz missions to the International Space Station (ISS). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Dr Faiz was considered qualified and Malaysia was keen to accept any offer. "Malaysia will continue with the space programme and Faiz will be the second angkasawan (astronaut)," he told reporters after watching the live telecast of the launch of a Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft carrying Malaysian "angkasawan" Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here tonight. Abdullah said the important factor in furthering the Malaysian Angkasawan Programme was allocation for space technology, research and related activities. Malaysia had allocation for its space programme although there was no offer of assistance from any quarter, he added. On the launch, Abdullah said its success meant the beginning of Malaysia's venture into space along with international teams to participate in research."

This is a new experience for us and it is obvious that young people were very inspired by what they have seen. "Interest in space technology and space research, and this is what I believe will happen after this event," he said. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he regarded the selection of a Malaysian astronaut for the launch as a milestone in the country's history because it reflected the mental and psychological capacity of the candidate, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.He said the historic event would kindle the spirit of the younger generation to realise that anything can be achieved with effort. "We stand a few inches taller as Malaysians tonight," he said. Works Minister and MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu extended congratulations to Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor on becoming the first Malaysian to go into space. He said he hoped that the "angkasawan" would have a successful mission in space. The selection of Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor brings pride to all Malaysians, he said in a statement here. "He has brought honour to Malaysia. Now we can take pride in one more Malaysian having proven the spirit of `Malaysia Boleh'. "We have scaled Mt Everest, traversed the oceans, reached the North Pole and now gone into space. I believe our next mission will be to set foot on the moon," he said.

= == = == = = == = and a supporter for the Malaysian cosmonaut who seems to be acting as a "consultant" for the Malaysian Ankasawan programme who was here officially " to witness and experience the historic moment" - free of charge?
October 11, 2007 00:04 AM

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Is An Astronaut, Says Former NASA Spaceman

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Former National Aeronautics and Space

Administration (NASA) astronaut Robert L. Gibson said today that Malaysia's angkasawan (Malay for astronaut) Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha is a full-fledged astronaut. The United States Navy Captain said that although NASA had categorized him as only a spaceflight participant, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is a fully qualified astronaut because he had undergone astronaut training in Russia and also at NASA.

"Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is eminently qualified to be an astronaut," he told reporters when met at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here where the launch of the Soyuz rocket carrying Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and two other crew - Peggy Whitson of the United States (who is also the mission commander) and Russian flight engineer Yury Malenchenko - was beamed live tonight. Gibson, who has been to space five times between 1984 and 1995, was here with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and all Malaysians.

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October 11, 2007 01:11 AM

Successful Space Launch Promotes Malaysia-Kazakhstan Ties

THE HISTORICAL SOYUZ TMA-11? The spacecraft is set to pave the way for stronger ties between Malaysia and Kazakhstan with its successful launch into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at exactly 9.21pm Malaysian time.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The successful launch into space of Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in a Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft is set to pave the way for stronger ties between Malaysia and Kazakhstan. "We are not just friendly countries now but countries with common interests. Let the good times be with us forever," Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said in a speech read out by a representative and conveyed here via video conferencing following the successful launch. He said the fact that the launch took place during the holy month of Ramadan was a significant achievement for Muslims all over the world. "The name of Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will be written in the golden history of Malaysia," he said, adding that the mission coincided with Malaysia's 50th anniversary of independence this year. The president's message was conveyed to Malaysians via a live video conferencing session between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis in Astana, Kazakhstan. The spacecraft bearing the Malaysian, Russian and United States flags blasted off at 9.21 pm (7.21 pm in Kazakhstan). The 35-year-old Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopaedic surgeon from Seremban, is accompanied by American Peggy Whitson and Russian Yuri Malenchenko. Russia built the Baikonur cosmodrome on the arid plains of Kazakhstan inSoviet times and has continued to use the site under a rental deal since the 1991 Soviet collapse.