PERMATA has a specific role in national education system

The prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has lashed out at certain quarters particularly the opposition for saying that the Permata programme was wasteful.

Rosmah who is the programme's patron noted that certain quarters had even claimed that it was to reap self profit.

"Actually the programme has a specific role in supporting the national education system," she said while launching the Horey-horey Permata 2013 programme at Dataran Telok here, Sunday.

She noted that criticisms about the programme which were mainly levelled at her, had lessened.

"Maybe it is because the election is over. But I want to stress here that I am not bothered by the criticisms and allegations because the programme has now borne fruit for children's education development," she said.

She said the programme had rapidly expanded since its establishment to include five branches namely, Permata Negara, Permata Pintar, Permata Insan, Permata Seni and Perkasa Remaja.

"Two more programmes, Permata Kurnia for autistic children and a specialist hospital for Permata children are being implemented," she said.