You can also create the permissions via programmatically like so: $this->fuel->permissions->create_simple_module_permissions('{module}', array('create', 'edit', 'publish', 'delete'));
I guess it depends on where you are wanting to do this programmatically but probably in your own controller. If you generate your simple modules, it will automatically create the general permissions for you: >php index.php fuel/generate/simple my_module
Comments
http://docs.getfuelcms.com/modules/generate
You can also create the permissions via programmatically like so:
$this->fuel->permissions->create_simple_module_permissions('{module}', array('create', 'edit', 'publish', 'delete'));
>php index.php fuel/generate/simple my_module