Nobody is denying that the whole space programme and the sending people to the space has made Malaysian proud. But whether it will take us beyond proud and tall to something more concrete remain to be seen.

Before accusing someone of failing to see the connection between space programme and Penang bridge, I think Proud and Tall (PAT - to borrow from Thai Eng Lang) should first examine whether there is any connection at all between the two.

PAT is very nave to even suggest that Penang bridge has contributed to the island enjoying the highest per capita income in Malaysia. Penang was the growth area in Malaysia even before the bridge was built. Its success was due to among other reasons the setting up of the multinational companies (MNCs) involved in the manufacturing of electronic components for export. The MNCs were at that time relocating to a low-cost and labour-intensive country for further growth. Penang happened to be an ideal place before Singapore, Vietnam and China were ready politically and economically.

To put it in perspective, Penang bridge was at the time one of the federal government project to pump prime the economy during the recession in the 80s. Another project during the time that PAT failed to mention was Komtar. I wonder PAT would want to say Komtar makes Penang enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes in Malaysia?

Yes, building a nation with scientific strength requires investment. But what kind of investment? If the objective is merely to get our Malaysian kids excited and interested in science, then it's a waste of money. Kids can be excited even by watching the movie Star Wars or reading science fictions.

They can be stimulated also just by watching the launch of Columbia into the space on TV screen, just like yourself. You were excited and interested in science just by watching on TV the launch of Apollo and moon landing back in the 60s. It was a good investment on the government part because they got you excited and interested in science without spending a single cent on the space programme.

PAT also mentioned Malaysian kids are lucky to have their textbooks supplied free. That is a good government initiative. But we should also ask whether free textbooks means better and quality education? The most advanced nations may not supply free textbooks, but can you tell me that we are better than them economically, technologically and politically? How many scientists and Nobel Prize winners have we produced? How many world-class universities have we established? What is our per capita income compare to Singapore, our tiny neighbour?

For PAT's information, before those space programme came to reality in US, their kids were first excited and interested in science fictions and movies. As an educator and PhD holder (my assumption based on his letter), he should analyses the space programme in the context of our nation's economic priority and interest before feeling proud and tall. Don't put the cart before the horse.