The Permata Negara programme has received RM51.25 million, which went to emolument and management costs of 88 child care centres, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim said.

Permata Negara, an early education programme founded by prime minister’ wife Rosmah Mansor was allocated RM30.1 million in the 2015 Budget .

Shahidan told the Dewan Negara today that the funds was also used to implement various programmes including the programme for teenagers Perkasa Remaja, costing a total RM4.04 million, Bernama reported.

"It was also for the construction of a new national Permata Negara Centre in Jeram, Subang, Gopeng, Kuala Krai and Tanah Merah," Shahidan is quoted as saying.

Shahidan (right) was replying to a supplementary question by Senator Boon So Inong who asked if the government is planning to expand the Permata programme to rural areas.

Critics have chided the allocation of the sizeable amount of the national budget to Permata, accusing the prime minister of conflict of interest by favouring his wife’s pet project.

However, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan last year said "not a single sen" of the allocation goes into Rosmah’s pocket.

PKR's Taman Medan assemblyperson Haniza Talha was also investigated for sedition for questioning the fund allocation.

According to Rosmah’s website, the Permata programme is a bid to "overcome the worrisome social problems that were besetting the youths in the country", and is a result of Rosmah’s meeting with experts in the field.

The Permata website says the programme offers an "alternative approach to early childhood education", focussing on children aged four and under.

Thousands of Permata children

According to Shahidan, a total 18,467 children went through the programme at 742 kindergartens in 128 districts nationwide, involving 3,663 teachers.

Centres using the curriculum include the Community Development Department (Kemas) childcare centres and the National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN).

Kemas has 488 kindergartens using the Permata curriculum, involving 9,075 students and 1,816 teachers, while JPNIN has 41 schools using the programme involving 880 students and 246 teachers, he said.

The Terengganu Foundation also has 64 kindergartens using the curriculum of the programme with 3,670 students and 628 teachers, he said.

Editor's note: It was earlier reported that Permata is allocated RM711 million under 2015 Budget. In fact, the RM711 million is for early childhood education. Permata's share is RM30.1 million.