The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will apply for funds for the country's second astronaut programme under the mid-term review of the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili said.

He said the cabinet had agreed in principle to continue with the programme under the 10MP but said that the allocation available at the moment was only for training, networking and awareness programmes.

"At the moment the second astronaut will be sent for continuous training," he told reporters after opening the First International Conference on Managing Ecosystem Health of Tropical Seas in Putrajaya today.

Ongkili said the ministry remained committed to the programme because it had bearing on the development of science and technology.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha was selected for the first astronaut programme in 2007.

The second astronaut, Mejar Dr Faiz Khalid, had undergone a 12-month training at the Yuri Gagarin training centre, Russia.

- Bernama