Permata does not audit own accounts - Rizal Mansor

The National Permata Programme (Permata) stated that as a federal agency, Permata did not audit its own accounts, said the Prime Minister’s Office Special Division principal assistant director Datuk Rizal Mansor.

Permata's accounts were fully audited annually by the Auditor-General's Department and included in the Auditor-General's Report every year, said Rizal in a statement Friday.

He also described the pro-DAP news portal Roketkini report which stated that Permata accounts were not presented during the visit of DAP’s elected representatives to the National Permata Children Centre in Kerinchi here yesterday as being dishonest.

The purpose of the visit was to explain on Permata’s programmes and its achievements and not to audit Permata’s accounts.

"During the visit we presented the records of the Permata expenditures, including how the amount was being distributed," said Rizal, who is also an aide to the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Yesterday, DAP elected representatives, namely Damansara Utama assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin, Subang assemblyman Hannah Yeoh and Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Huey and Serdang member of Parliament Ong Kian Ming visited the centre.

Rizal said Permata was pleased with the DAP elected representatives’ conclusion that the programme benefited the society and thanked them for the visit.

Among those present were Langkawi member of Parliament Datuk Nawawi Ahmad and MCA Wanita MCA chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie. -- Bernama