PKR's Srikandi chief Siti Aishah Shaik Ismail has challenged the prime minister's wife and patron of Permata, Rosmah Mansor, to a public debate on Rosmah’s early childcare and learning project.

Representing Siti Aishah, lawyer Sivamalar Genapathy said the challenge was issued as her client has been effectively barred from commenting on Permata.

"We openly challenge Rosmah to debate the Permata issue with us,"  Sivamalar said after accompanying Siti Aishah, who was called in for questioning at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters this morning.

If this issue, as claimed by Permata, has compromised their image and credibility, Siti Aishah ( right ) said, she "willingly offers to hold an open debate".

Siti Aishah asserted that the purpose of the open debate is allow Permata and its patron Rosmah to defend their credibility, and offer the public an explanation for the massive allocation.

Sivamalar told reporters: "We invite Rosmah to justify the large amount of budget allocation for Permata as the public has a right to be informed of how their money is being spent," adding that she aims to send the letter to the prime minister’s wife by January.

"At the very least, they can send a representative to the debate, maybe even Puteri Umno," Siti Aishah said.

Sivamalar also represents PKR’s Taman Medan assemblyperson Haniza Talha, who had previously been questioned by police under the Sedition Act.

'Leaders have right to questions issues'

Both women leaders had made comments in an article in relation to the spending of public funds, particularly on Rosmah's Permata project, which was allocated RM711 million under Budget 2015.

Sivamalar ( left ) said Siti Aishah and Haniza have the right to question issues such as this as it is "in line with their duties" as leaders and they should not be reprimanded for it.

Echoing Haniza's comment last week, Siti Aishah said that the police officer's questions to her were “all over the place” and seemed to have been designed to implicate her, no matter what she says.

"The questions posed were not relevant (to the case), not specific and were mostly based on assumptions.

"They even asked me if I was paid to issue a statement on Permata. To me, this is a very heavy accusation.

"Which is why I have chosen not to answer any of the questions. I will only answer in court, if this case is brought there," Siti Aishah said.

She said had expected to be called in for questioning by the police as "this is Umno-BN's usual practice when they are unable to answer factual questions".

She added: "If you (Permata) are daring enough to take the people's money, you should be brave enough to explain why. Don't run away when the people start questioning."