Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has set up a committee to investigate into allegations that the country's first astronaut violated an agreement with the government by making thousands of dollars in lecture fee.

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha has been accused of amassing RM 1.2 million for talks since his return from space last year, Bernama news agency said on Sunday.

"A probe will begin on Tuesday," Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof was quoted as saying.

He said that the investigation would be conducted by a committee to be set up after a deadline for receiving all reports and complaints from the public ended on Monday.

Yusof said the ministry had received letters complaining that Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor had charged 8,000 ringgit (USD 2,222) an hour to speak at 150 corporate functions since his return from the ISS in October last year.

The report said that under a contract expiring December 31,Sheikh Muszaphar is prohibited from receiving any remuneration except from the government in connection with his pioneering space mission.

"We urge the public not to come with only letters of complaint but to substantiate their complaints with solid evidence such as receipts as proof of payment, invoices and all written attachments or correspondence related to any event attended by him (Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor)," he said.

Fadillah said the scope of the investigation would be, among other things, to determine whether the astronaut imposed fees for his appearance or talks and to recommend appropriate action to be taken by the ministry.

Sheikh Muszaphar, meanwhile, said that he had accepted contributions when he spoke at events but denied he imposed a fee.
Source : DNA