I refer to the letter PTPTN loan terms not something new .

I think the parents and students who are given PTPTN loans to further their studies, truly appreciate the good gesture and generosity of the government to help those who otherwise may not be able to pursue their further studies.

However, from some of the cases I have heard, I get the impression that the PTPTN officers are not sympathetic to the appeals of the students. There are also cases of students who continue their

education further after completing their diploma courses for which the loan was intended.

They further their studies either locally or overseas without further financial assistance from PTPTN and have furnished such proof to PTPTN who continue to charge interest or administrative fees on these poor students who have no means of paying off the loan as they are still not employed.

In such cases, the poor parents who are retired and have very limited funds for their own day-to- day expenses are forced to pay at least part of the monthly payment.

PTPTN cannot apply a standard rule on everyone and should review each case on a case-by-case basis which I think they do not make an attempt to do. I am told that many who are studying overseas and have informed PTPTN accordingly with furnished details of still being a student, have the constant fear that they may not be able to leave the country to finish their course in the event they are barred from travelling.

PTPTN does not even give an official reply to the student when an appeal is filed for further exemption from payment. I know that a number of those who were helped by PTPTN to further their studies are presently very well-employed and earning good salaries but fail to meet their commitment to pay back their loans even though they can well afford to do so. This is where PTPTN should come hard on defaulters.

With the current cost of living and low salary levels even for graduates, there is not much left after deductions for essential living expenses. Do not burden these poor students who may end up taking many years to settle their loan payments with the administration fees increasing when less than the contracted amount is paid. Then it may just resemble a loan from a loan shark.

It is true the loan contract is made well-known to those concerned when applying or standing as a guarantor for the loan. Being desperate for the money to fulfill one's dream of a good and gainful education, compels the recipient of the loan to agree to all the stipulated terms and conditions.

All we ask is for PTPTN to be sympathetic and look into each and every case based on that case’s own merit. It would be good and helpful if PTPTN can find out why loans are unpaid or paid partially and I am sure they can find some very valid reasons for this.

Do not be too rigid to impose the rule of law in these circumstances. Even banks are flexible and can re-negotiate the loan payments to a lower and more affordable amount when an appeal is made. I believe a government agency can do this as well.