ANGKASAWAN
Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 36
BY Lt Col (Dr) Muhamad Fuad

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor or as some know him, Dr SMS, has certainly become a Malaysian icon. His adventure to space has become one of Malaysia’s greatest scientific achievements. But more than that, he is a friendly guy with a good heart.

We first met in 2001 when we registered for the Orthopaedic Master’s programme in UKM Bangi. Among his characteristics that I admire most is his determination. If he wants something, he will give nothing less than 100% to achieve it, even if it means climbing a mountain. Well, what is a mountain when SMS has reached outer space! If you think he achieved it easily, you are wrong. I have seen him not only sweat, but bleed till the very last drop of blood flowing in the smallest capillary one can find, trying to convince and prove to the board of selectors that he is the one Malaysians are looking for.

Looking back, when he first mooted the idea of joining the space programme, I knew he wasn’t joking and I had no doubt that he would give other contenders a very tough time. When he was shortlisted as one of the final four, I knew he had already made it. To space you go, I said. He was humble enough not to rule out others and being the SMS that I have known for years, I’m sure he felt like the pressure to succeed.

Everyone who knows him know how friendly and charming he is, even if you’ve just met him. Despite his achievements, he is still the same guy I’ve known for the past seven years.His passion of generating interest among younger generation for science has definitely shown results, but Dr Sheikh Muszaphar isn’t ready to take a break. He doesn’t want the momentum from his journey to the International Space Center to stop here but is working for to one day see Malaysia excel in the aerospace industry in this country.

Lt Col (Dr) Muhamad Fuad is an Orthopaedic Surgeon who is currently working at Army Military Hospital, Terendak, Malacca. He studied with Dr Sheikh during his Master’s in Orthopaedic Surgery Programme in HUKM from 2001 until 2005. He is also featured together with Dr. Sheikh in a recent Proton BLM commercial.