simonjong.com

Malaysia is going to space.

Yes, we’ve made it. Malaysia is ready to join the rank of space faring nations. We are to become explorers of the final frontier.

Wait a minute, since when do Malaysia have a Space Program? Well, apparently our government had started our very own space agency, a NASA-equivalent of Malaysia called ANGKASA.

And what prompted the government to take such an initiative? It seems that the government has struck a deal with Russia when our Defense Ministry purchased 18 Sukhoi fighter jets from them. To sweeten the multi-billion dollar deal, the Russian will train a Malaysian astronaut free of charge and give him a free ride to the International Space Station.

Okay, sounds good so far, we like freebies, but what exactly is he going to do up there? What research will be conducted by our Bolehnaut in the zero-gravity environment of space? He’s not just going up there for fun, is he?

Not to worry, ANGKASA has it all worked out, our Bolehnaut will be doing something no one has ever done in space before.

While in space, he will…

Attempt to make Teh Tarik (Pulled Tea).

Play Batu Seremban (Five-Stones) and Gasing (Malay spinning tops).

And do some Batik painting.

According to the head honcho of ANGKASA, Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim,

“…the outcome of the experiments would be studied on earth with the hope that it would unravel the mysteries in science, education and medicine”

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Malaysia’s “glocalness“ never seize to amaze me.

After this, we will make global headlines again, as “The Joker Nation of Asia”.