(June 10): The prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, is not involved in any decision-making in the Permata programme, of which she is the patron, Putrajaya said today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said as a patron, she was not involved in administrative issues, finances, management and other functions which were the purview of civil servants.

"Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor is also not involved in making any policy decisions that involve the implementation of all Permata programmes," he said in a written reply to Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping).

The Permata programme has come under criticism for a lack of transparency in its operations despite receiving huge allocations each year. It was founded by Rosmah and she was appointed its patron in 2007.

Shahidan, in his reply, also said Permata received RM51.25 million in allocations this year for all its programmes, including Permata Pintar, Permata Insan, Permata Seni and the operations of 88 Permata national children centres.

The minister, who has defended Rosmah in the past, said the prime minister's wife was appointed patron of Permata because of her position – making her well-known worldwide – her credibility, huge influence and high affinity for early childhood and teen education development.

"She is tasked with supporting, promoting and providing awareness of all Permata programmes.

"As the patron, she has successfully taken Permata to a high level that includes outside recognition, especially in early childhood education and the education of gifted children," he said.

Last month, Rosmah was reported as saying that the Permata programme was a success as it had been able to produce independent teenagers, among others.

She said the approach adopted by Permata and the Perkasa Permata Community Centres was apt and in line with the government's aspiration to produce independent teenagers capable of contributing to society.

Opposition lawmakers however have accused the Permata programme, Rosmah's brainchild, of being merely a "shortcut for rich kids". – The Malaysian Insider