Rosmah Mansor's educational background makes her qualified to be the patron of Permata, said her aide Rizal Mansor.

He also criticised DAP assemblyperson Yeo Bee Yin for asking the wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to relinquish her post.

Accusing Yeo of making the statement “without thinking and conducting proper research”, he said Rosmah holds a degree in sociology and anthropology as well as a masters in sociology.

“Surely, her expertise in the field of sociology shows her ability to steer Permata towards excellence,” he added in a media statement this evening.

“If you wish to do a comparison on who is qualified to hold what post, why not ask (Penang chief minister) Lim Guan Eng if he is an expert in water research since he has been appointed as non-executive director of Penang's Water Supply Corporation,” he added.

Earlier, Yeo had urged Rosmah to step down as patron of Permata if she was unable to tolerate public scrutiny of the agency related to early childhood development.

Earlier, Yeo had urged Rosmah to step down as patron of Permata if she was unable to tolerate public scrutiny of the agency related to early childhood development.

The Damansara Utama assemblyperson was responding to Rosmah, who yesterday urged all quarters not to politicise and cast aspersions on Permata.

Rosmah 'only patron'

Taking aim at the DAP lawmaker, Rizal asked Yeo to enrol in a Permata class to understand what a patron does.

"MPs should read more so that they will not become shallow leaders.

"For the knowledge of DAP leaders, a patron in an organisation does not have any executive powers nor makes decisions," he said.

Rizal said Permata as an agency under the Prime Minister's Department is strictly regulated with regards to its expenditure.

As such, any accusations that Permata funds had been utilised by Rosmah were unjustified, he said.

Rizal accused Yeo of not wanting children to receive early childhood education despite having received a briefing for Permata.

"Perhaps (Yeo) is the type that is unable to comprehend or is deliberately refusing to comprehend," he said.

Yeo in her statement earlier today had said the need to develop early childhood education was unquestionable, but this can be done by the respective ministries, which is more experienced.