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.