Published: Monday November 10, 2008 MYT 9:20:00 PM
Angkasawan meets ministry officials to defend himself
By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN and JANE RITIKOS
KUALA LUMPUR: Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor met with Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry officials Monday to defend himself against allegations that he had earned RM1.2mil from lecture fees.
It is learnt that Deputy Minister Fadillah Yusof, who was tasked with investigating the matter, met with Dr Sheikh Muszaphar for about two hours, and the discussions also included his contract with the ministry, which expires Dec 31.
“He denied the allegation,” Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said, reiterating that the ministry had yet to receive any formal complaint on the matter, and that he was awaiting a report from Fadillah this week.
He also said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar had until Thursday to indicate whether he wanted to continue his contract with the ministry under the Angkasawan Programme, or return to UKM Hospital.
A news portal recently alleged that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar could have earned up to RM1.2mil, as he had charged RM8,000 for one-hour talks to 150 corporate companies.
However, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar will not be meeting the ministry officials on Thursday as he will be leaving for Japan on Tuesday as part of the Angkasawan Programme, to collect the results of the scientific experiments he conducted at the International Space Station last year.
Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Syed Shukor said that if his son had indeed made millions, why was it that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar could not even help him pay for his cancer and gall bladder treatments that cost RM30,000.
Sheikh Mustapha, who has complained of the unfair treatment of his son, said he accompanied his son Monday to have his say.
Sheikh Mustapha also queried why his son was not sent back to Russia for a follow-up check for possible radiation exposure, as required a few months after his return from space.
“They said they have local experts to do that, but why should he do it here when he is suppose to do it in Russia.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he had yet to receive any information on the allegations against Dr Sheikh Muszaphar.
“It is still being investigated. But he has said there is no such thing,” he told reporters after chairing the Cabinet meeting on the Malaysian Innovation Foundation (MIF) in Parliament on Monday.
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