‘I’ll not step down as Permata patron’
LANGKAWI: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said she will not step down as patron of the Permata programme even if there is pressure from the opposition to do so.
Rosmah, Prime Minister Datuk Najib Tun Razak’s wife, said this was because all the effort she had put in so far was for the nation and the children who would inherit it.
In the 10-year period, Permata has gone through various challenges, she said, adding that she has been the subject of various slanders and accusations from the opposition.
“Accusations were hurled at me as though I had pressured the government to increase the allocation for Permata and that I had misappropriated the funds for personal benefits.
“Even though they are bitter for me to swallow, I just ignore them like the passing wind,” she said at the official launching of the new Langkawi National Permata Children Centre here yesterday.
It is the 89th such centre in the country and the fourth in Kedah.
Rosmah added that Permata had identified 300 children who had a high level of IQ (intelligence quotient) between the ages of two and five years.
These children will be given early exposure in the fields of Science, Technology and Mathematics.
Rosmah said as the wife of the country’s number one leader, she could not just stay home or accompany him in discharging his official duty but felt it was necessary for her to contribute to the nation.
“I strongly hold to the principle that all children are assets and a jewel to the country, and they have the same right to grow together as cheerful children,” she said. — Bernama