DEPUTY Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud announced that the government is considering the reintroduction of the overseas travel ban for defaulters of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) - a measure that was lifted seven years ago.
He mentioned that other options are also under consideration, including alternative repayment strategies that do not involve a travel ban.
However, he emphasised that this matter is still under review, and no final decision has been made regarding the potential reinstatement of the ban.
According to reports, he was speaking during question time in the Senate.
Currently, 13.55 percent, or 383,637 borrowers, have defaulted on their PTPTN loans.
As of December 31, last year, only 1,044,595 out of 4,108,625 borrowers had fully repaid their loans.
Meanwhile, 86.45 percent of borrowers have started making repayments, even if they are in arrears.
Among these, 585,638 borrowers are consistently repaying their loans without any arrears, while 817,872 are making inconsistent payments and have outstanding debts.
He also noted that individuals in the bottom 40 percent income bracket, referred to as B40, who are struggling to repay their loans should engage in discussions about restructuring their loans with PTPTN.
"If you are unable to pay, we encourage you to talk to us; no penalties will be imposed. Avoiding repayment is not the solution. We receive numerous reports about those who can pay but choose not to, which is concerning," the deputy minister said. – March 11, 2025
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