Rosmah Mansor need not worry that Permata, which she founded, will be axed as the Pakatan government plans to continue with the programme but it must first be reviewed and audited.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Permata was a good programme for children’s development and welfare.
“The Permata programme was brought to the attention of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. We will review the programme which deals with the development and welfare of children.
Other than that, the programme also improves the skills of children. It is a good programme.
“We, the Pakatan Harapan government and the prime minister have said what is good will continue. But how? We will have to audit and review it, including the allocation, its cost-effectiveness and results of the programme,” she said in a press conference at Putrajaya on May 22.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Women and Family Development Minister, said she and Dr Mahathir had agreed that the Permata programme was more relevant under her ministry rather than the Prime Minister’s Department.
The programme, which was first implemented in 2007, was the brainchild of the wife of the former Prime Minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and it comprises Permata Negara, Permata Pintar, Permata Seni, Permata Insan, Perkasa Remaja and Permata Kurnia.
It focuses on efforts to educate children from a young age to develop their intellectual, spiritual, emotional, physical, social and communicative skills.
When asked by reporters when the audit on Permata would be completed, Dr Wan Azizah said a deadline could not be given yet as it was her first day as Women Affairs Minister.
“We are just about to start (the audit). It’s my first day, give me a break,” she quipped, to laughter by the press.
On Monday (May 21), it was reported that Rosmah hoped that the Pakatan government would not cancel Permata, as she regarded it as a programme close to her heart.