PETALING JAYA, 16 Jan: The Federal Government has been urged to provide an explanation regarding the overlapping functions of the Permata Programme and the Ministry of Education which has incurred a huge cost.
The Member of Parliament for Kapar, Manivanan Gowin, said that the Federal Government should also clarify the huge difference in allocation received by the programme for 2013 compared to the amount stated in the Budget 2013.
He said that the programme, under the auspices of the Prime Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, received RM150 million in allocations for 2013 compared to the RM40.7 million stated in the Budget 2013 texts.
“The Permata Division Secretary issued a statement that he is the individual in charge of maintaining and managing the RM150 million channeled by the government to Permata.
“His statement indirectly confirms that the allocation for the Permata Programme is greater than that stated in the budget,” said Manivanan.
He said this in a press conference held at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Headquarters today.
Manivanan said that early education programmes should be put under the Ministry of Education, together with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and not under Permata.
“The early education operation under the Ministry of Education has been given provisions amounting to RM482.3 million under the 2014 Budget,” said Manivanan.