Is this a joke?

Kuala Lumpur — Malaysia's first astronaut will do what no one in space has done before: Play traditional Malay children's games in a gravity-free environment.

The astronaut — yet to be selected — will play batu seremban, or five stones, and spin traditional Malay tops in space, the Agriculture Ministry's parliamentary secretary Rohani Abdul Karim told lawmakers in Parliament, according to national news agency Bernama and local paper The Star.

Batu seremban involves throwing and catching stones, and is usually played by young girls. "The main purpose of launching an astronaut in space is to conduct experiments in microgravity," Ms Rohani said.

"These conditions are not available on earth ... and this is an opportunity for our scientists to prove their mettle.

"Schoolchildren will be further motivated to increase their interest in science and technology when our astronaut holds a live teleconference with students from several selected schools," she added. In addition to playing games and conducting experiments, the astronaut will also do batik painting and make teh tarik — a traditional way of tea-making.

Asked about the cost of the space programme, Ms Rohani said it would be free of charge as the costs would be offset by Malaysia's purchase of Sukhoi fighter aircraft from Russia, The Star reported.

Mr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 34, and Mr Faiz Khaleed, 26, are currently vying to join the Russian space expedition for eight days in September next year. — AP