Angkasawan admits accepting contributions, denies demanding payment

Monday November 17, 2008
Angkasawan admits accepting contributions, denies demanding payment

KUALA LUMPUR: Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha has admitted to accepting contributions when giving talks.
However, he denied that he had received, among others, RM8,000 an hour for giving talks.
He said it was the norm for him to give talks in schools for free.
A news portal recently alleged that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar could have earned up to RM1.2mil, as he had charged RM8,000 for one-hour talks to 150 corporate companies.
“I hope we can resolve this unfortunate incident (allegations) because its negative impact would affect my ability to continue giving talks to schools in the country,” he said.
“I have spoken to Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Fadilah Yusof and given a detailed explanation, and he was happy and satisfied with my explanation,” he told reporters after flagging off and taking part in the Sixth Batik Fun Walk 2008 here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Penyayang chairman Nori Abdullah, who organised the walk, was satisfied with the number of participants, especially since some of the proceeds would be donated to the Penyayang Pesakit Kanser charity.
“I am happy with the number of participants taking part this year, which is about 1,200. This is double the number we had last year.
“It is also heartening to know that these participants will help make life a little easier for cancer patients,” she said.
Her husband, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, was also a participant in the event. — Bernama