An education programme in Malaysia which is a brainchild of the wife of Prime Minister Najib Razak will receive an award in New York.

Permata, whose patron is Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, will receive the "Lead by Example" award on Sept 22 at an event organised by the Antiquities Coalition, a Washington-based non-profit organisation.

The event will honour close to a dozen individuals and organisations in different fields - from education to protecting cultural heritage - against violent extremism.

Permata, which was set up in 2007, has several initiatives covering areas such as early childhood education and care, developing talented children as well as youth at risk.

Malaysian news agency Bernama on Sunday (Sept 18) cited the Education Ministry's Secretary-General Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad as saying: "This recognition is also an honour for Malaysia for providing quality education for the holistic development of children."

The ceremony will be held at an event titled "A Tribute to Heroes in the Global Campaign Against Violent Extremism" at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.