Malaysian government will build its own communications satellite, to be used for internal security and defence purposes, reports said on Wednesday. Science and Technology Minister Jamaludin Jarjis told the official Bernama news agency that the satellite project was a natural progression after Malaysia entered the space age this month.
Its first astronaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, blasted off aboard a Soyuz spacecraft and visited the International Space Station in a program linked to the billion-dollar purchase of Russian fighter jets.
Jamaludin told the New Straits Times that the satellite would boost Malaysia's security and be more cost-effective. Jamaludin said he would present the proposal for Cabinet approval.