[UPDATED] Anwar hails India’s lunar landing as sign of ‘Asian Century’

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his congratulations to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and the people of India over the nation’s historic success in placing its lunar lander on the moon. 

Hailing the milestone event as signifying the “Asian century”, he lauded the achievement of the vehicle’s successful landing on the southern pole of the moon, which had never been ventured to before. 

“I wish to send my congratulations to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the people of the Republic of India for the successful landing of the Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 yesterday at the south pole of the moon which has never been explored by humans,” Anwar said in a statement today. 

“India has now captured the moon, and I view this success not only as a success for India but also as a success for Asia and all its citizens. 

“Malaysia is also proud of this accomplishment as it signifies that this is ‘the Asian Century’. Congratulations India!”

Chandrayaan-3’s lunar exploration mission’s lander “Vikram” carrying the rover named “Pragyan” successfully landed on the moon yesterday evening. India is now the first country to land a probe in the polar region of the moon and the fourth to land anywhere on the lunar surface.

Both the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover are designed to function for one lunar day, which is 14 days on Earth. The Hindustan Times reported this morning that Pragyan rolled out from the lander and positioned itself on the ramp, before setting off on its mission to gather data on the elemental composition of the moon’s atmosphere and other objectives.

‘Malaysia can also do it’

Meanwhile, reacting to Anwar’s message, Malaysians joined in with a chorus of praise, with some expressing hope that there can be new benefits and opportunities for the country in India’s thriving aerospace industry.

Some others said that India’s feat should encourage Malaysia to scale the same heights.

“I hope that we can collaborate with the Indian side as much as possible. MOSTI and the appropriate agencies under it should take the initiative (in this regard),” wrote Mohamad Azwar Bin Hashim, referring to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.

“Good to see our PM congratulating India PM and ISRO for such (a) great achievement,” said Sanjay Nathan. ISRO is the Indian Space Research Organisation whose scientists oversaw the whole mission.  

“As a Malaysian I hope our nation would emulate such achievement too.”

Ahmad Ebak Malik quipped: “Jom kita juga! Kita geng Elon Musk di SpaceX!” (Let’s do it too! We can team up with Elon Musk in Space X!”)

It was announced in July that US billionaire Musk’s company, Tesla, had acquired a building in Cyberjaya to house its Malaysian headquarters.

Anwar had said that Musk, who is Tesla founder and chief executive, also agreed to collaborate with the government with SpaceX, the satellite internet service Starlink, and electric vehicles. He said that three Malaysian companies will also be involved in the project with SpaceX. 

Zaid Hashim stressed that “the best coders and programmers are definitely from the Indian race. This one can’t argue. Congratulations India!”

Facebook user T Mogan Raj said: “Malaysia also can do it. Collaborate with the nations in Asia that have the expertise, such as India and China. Transfer of technology and knowledge on space exploration.”

He noted that the astronaut programme had seen fruition during the tenure of the  prime minister Tun Abdullah Abdllah Badawi in 2007. “Yes it is expensive but transfer of technology matters a lot,” he said. – The Vibes, August 24, 2023