'Rosmah didn't get a single sen from Permata'

 

Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan has dismissed the accusation that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife Rosmah Mansor benefitted from the allocation for the Permata national programme (Permata) under Budget 2015.

He explained that Permata did not receive RM711 million as alleged but only a portion of the allocation as the sum was also shared by the Education Ministry, as well as the Kemas and Perpaduan pre-schools.

"Rosmah did not get a single sen from Permata.

"The (allegation) RM711 million is inaccurate as it was given for the entire pre-school education," Ahmad (left) told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

PKR's online news portal Keadilan Daily yesterday quoted Wanita PKR vice-chief Haniza Talha as saying that the rakyat’s subsidy should not be cut just so that RM711 million can be allocated to Permata.

Haniza also questioned the Permata programme, saying that the country already has a good education system specifically for pre-schoolers.

Social media users also questioned the high amount of allocation given to Permata, with many saying that it is unfair and immaterial, especially with the rising cost of living.

However, Ahmad said the claims were nothing but slander as Permata had contributed greatly to pre-school education.

“Permata does not belong to Rosmah. There are many groups, such as Permata Pintar for the geniuses, Permata Seni for those gifted in the arts and Permata Insan for those involved in religious teachings.

"These are all good programmes," Ahmad added.

Meanwhile, two Pakatan MPs urged the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate Permata. 

 

Manivanan Gowindasamy (PKR-Kapar) said the RM711 million for the programme under the budget is not consistent with 82 of its centres of 1,780 students. 

 

He asked whether this is a waste of the people’s money, as it only constitutes 0.074 percent of the total number of children nationwide.

 

Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang, right) said that the state-funded traditional religious schools nationwide only received RM25 million. 

 

"We welcome Permata for the good of the country but we do not want a double standard in the education system of our country," said Siti Zailah.