Prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor is not the decision maker in Permata, but merely a promoter of the government-funded entity.

This is according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim who said the power to decide on policy and make management decisions is given only to civil servants.

Rosmah is the patron of Permata, an early education programme for children below four years of age.

"The role of the patron does not include administration, financial, management and other matters, powers of which are given to civil servants," Shahidan ( photo ) said in a parliamentary reply on Monday.

Rosmah does not take part in Permata's policy-making either, he told Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping).

Based on the study, the majority of the children have shown their capability of being one year ahead of their respective milestones, Shahidan added.

"As patron, she has successfully taken the programme to new heights, and obtained external recognition, especially on education for early childhood and gifted children," he said.

Rosmah, who was chosen as Permata patron in 2007, plays the role of supporting, promoting and enhancing awareness on the implementation of the programme, said the Umno supreme council member.

She was chosen because of her status, for being a well-known figure within and outside the country, and also for her credibility, huge influence and high tendency towards children and youth education development, Shahidan noted.

Rosmah was awarded an honorary doctorate from Curtin University, Australia and made an honorary professor of the International Information Technology University at Kazakhstan following her contribution to early childhood education.

RM51m for Permata

 

In the parliamentary reply, Nga asked the achievement and costs incurred since Permata's inception as well as the role played by Rosmah.

 

Permata received total funds of RM51,248,399, which were used on the operation of 88 centres, which RM4,037,500 had been used to build five new centres, said Shahidan, who is also Arau MP.

Rosmah was awarded an honorary doctorate from Curtin University, Australia and was made an honorary professor of the International Information Technology University at Kazakhstan, following her contributions to early childhood education.

 

In the parliamentary question, Nga had asked the achievements and costs incurred since Permata's inception, as well as the role played by Rosmah.

 

Permata received total funds of RM51,248,399, which were used in the operation of 88 centres, which RM4,037,500 had been used to build five new centres, said Shahidan, who is also Arau MP.