THE restructuring of loan repayments under the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) will not hinder borrowers’ ability to obtain housing loans or other financial facilities, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir stated on Sunday, addressing misconceptions circulating among the public.
He clarified that enforcement measures are only applied to borrowers who have never attempted to communicate with PTPTN or disclose their financial circumstances.
“Those claims are untrue. Action is only taken against those who have made absolutely no effort with PTPTN,” he said during a press conference held in conjunction with the Back to School programme at Dewan Merdeka, Manjung Municipal Council.
The initiative benefited 1,350 recipients in the Lumut parliamentary constituency, with a total allocation of RM300,000.
Dr Zambry stressed that the government remains committed to applying principles of compassion in PTPTN repayment policies to ensure that borrowers are not placed under undue financial strain.
He noted that borrowers facing repayment difficulties are encouraged to consult with PTPTN to restructure their repayments according to their current financial capacity.
“We have repeatedly stated that if anyone faces difficulties, they can come forward to discuss adjustments according to their means. PTPTN’s doors are always open,” he said.
The minister also highlighted that the government has expanded scholarships and full financial assistance for students from poor and hardcore poor families, following previous announcements by the Prime Minister.
“We have also implemented the First Child Student Programme, an initiative to help the eldest child from a poor family pursue university education free of charge.
“This demonstrates that the Ministry of Higher Education is not solely focused on loans, but also considers the family background of the student,” he said.
In a related update, Dr Zambry reported that the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) has performed strongly, with total savings nearing RM22 billion across approximately seven million accounts.
He noted that this achievement reflects a high level of awareness among parents regarding the importance of long-term education savings for their children.
“In terms of total savings, we do not impose a high minimum requirement. Parents can begin saving with as little as RM20. If they have surplus funds, they can add to their savings at any time, whether monthly or daily,” he explained. - January 4, 2025
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