Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife Rosmah Mansor stressed that she implemented the Permata Negara (Permata) programme sincerely to ensure the welfare and educational development of children in the country.

"I can say, we have put in much effort to make it a success and I do all this sincerely," she said in her speech at an appreciation dinner and the appointment of committee members of the 2017 Malaysian Chinese Women Entrepreneurs Association (MCWEA) in conjunction with World Women's Day in KL yesterday.

More than 1,000 people attended the ceremony, including national unity & integration adviser in the Prime Minister's Department Heng Seai Kie, who is also MCA Wanita chief, and MCWEA president Jessie Wong Siaw Puie.

During the event, MCWEA conferred the National Heroine Award 2017 Malaysian Children Protector to Rosmah for her contributions to develop the Permata programme.

Rosmah, who is also patron of Permata, said the award would give her the strength to continue the initiative.

Meanwhile, she said the position of women in the country was to be proud of due to increased access to education, employment and socio-cultural changes in society, allowing them to contribute actively to the nation's development.

She added the initiative also received support from the government which recognised the importance of women and their role in developing the country.

- Bernama