Not too long ago I read in the press our deputy prime minister advising Malaysian to change their lifestyle. This is the advice given as a result of the 30 sen increase in fuel price by the government. Not too long after that, I saw a picture of the deputy prime minister taking photographs with the Malaysian astronaut wannabes.

I think this prompted many Malaysians to think and question just how much is it going to cost Malaysia to fund this venture? Some of you may even ask what research the candidates are going to carry out in space to benefit the country.

As a patriot and a Malaysian, I would be proud to see a fellow Malaysian astronaut circling the globe and flying the Malaysian flag in the anti-gravity environment of space. But how much will this venture cost Malaysia? In the event it is free through the goodwill and help of the Russians, I wish our Malaysian astronaut all the best and go for it. But in the event the Malaysian government is going to pay for it, I would like to know how much.

For your information, the three space tourist Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth and last year's Gregory Olsen paid US$20 million each to go into space. If the Malaysian government is going to pay anything near that, don't you think we should postpone this trip until such time when we have some extra cash?

Surely US$20 million to just fly the Malaysian flag and shout 'Malaysia Boleh' in space is a little too extravagant. I am sure with US$20 million you could buy many coaches and extend the LRT line to Kuala Kubu Baru up north and maybe to Bandar Baru Nilai down south.