Malaysian space hero back in spotlight due to theft injury

A man who nearly became Malaysia’s first astronaut returned to the public spotlight when he was injured in an armed robbery, news reports said Friday.

Faiz Khaleed was Malaysia’s backup candidate to travel aboard a Russian spacecraft last month for a mission aboard the international space station.

The honor went to Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, but both men have been hailed as national heroes. Faiz and a friend were attacked by two machete-wielding men outside Faiz’s Kuala Lumpur home Wednesday. Faiz was slashed on his left hand while trying to ward off the assailants, who snatched his friend’s gold chain, The Star and New Straits Times newspapers reported.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak visited Faiz on Thursday in a hospital.

Kuala Lumpur, Friday, AP