PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the management of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) to present proposals for improvements to the student loan repayment system after the Aidilfitri festivities.
The aim is to ease the financial burden on borrowers while ensuring the system’s sustainability for future generations.
In a post on Facebook, Anwar highlighted that he had carefully reviewed the issue surrounding PTPTN’s persistently low repayment rates.
He recognised the critical importance of ensuring that the fund remains viable to support students in the years to come.
“We must ensure that the PTPTN fund remains sustainable, so future generations can benefit from it,” Anwar said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to evaluate the development and progress of Malaysia’s higher education sector.
A key focus of the discussion was the need to prepare young Malaysians for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, particularly in light of the rapid expansion of the semiconductor industry.
“One of the main issues we discussed was how we can prepare the next generation for the growing fields of STEM, especially with regard to the booming semiconductor sector,” Anwar noted.
The Prime Minister also took part in the ‘Ihya’ Ramadan’ programme, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education.
During the event, he engaged in meaningful discussions with senior ministry officials and staff.
As part of the programme, Anwar had the opportunity to listen to a Ramadan lecture titled *Maqasid Al-Quran and the MADANI Society*, which was delivered by Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim, the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
The session concluded with a congregational Zohor prayer. – March 17, 2025
