Reported in the Singapore Straits Times on Friday, 10 October 2003 - the deal with Russia was announced by the Malaysian Deputy Defense Minister.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/story/0,4386,213970,00.html?Russian jet deal includes space trip for Malaysian KUALA LUMPUR -
Russia will buy US$300 million (S$520 million) worth of palm oil and send a Malaysian into space as part of a billion-dollar deal for 18 Sukhoi 30-MKM fighter jets, Malaysian Deputy Defence Minister Mohamad Shafie Apdal said yesterday.
Payment will be made over five years, with the fighters due for delivery in 2006-7, he told Parliament.
The Russian government has agreed to buy palm oil to the value of 30 per cent of the contract price, which also includes the setting up of a service centre in Malaysia and sending the country's first astronaut into space, Datuk Mohamad Shafie said.
The space flight reflects Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's drive to bring Malaysia into the mainstream of scientific and technological development. -- AFP