'Unfair of PTPTN to penalise freshies'
Students who have just received their National Higher Education Fund Loan (PTPTN) may breathe a sigh of relief as they are the last batch to escape a loan cut.
Students who have just received their National Higher Education Fund Loan (PTPTN) may breathe a sigh of relief as they are the last batch to escape a loan cut.
Nonetheless, they are still dismayed that their juniors entering private universities beginning this month will have theirs slashed.
A student who only wanted to be known as Martin, said it was unfair that fresh students should be penalised because of the shrinking PTPTN fund caused by defaulters.
"It's not right to reduce the loan becuse of a bunch of bad apples," said the first year diploma student at HELP College University.
PTPTN on Wednesday confirmed that it will reduce the loan amounts for private university students by 15 percent, with public university applicants' being five percent.
The news came amid attempts by PTPTN to recoup a whopping RM1.23 billion from 173,985 debt dodgers.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya student Wee Nie, who enrolled last semester in September and was fortunate enough to be the last to get a full loan, said new students shouldn't have to bear the burden of the debtors.
"Even with a full PTPTN loan now it's not enough to cover all of the accommodation and we are also worried about rising cost of living from the coming Goods and Services Tax," said the first year environmental engineering student.
Rising cost of living woes
Likewise, Alyssa who also enrolled at UM in September with a full PTPTN loan, though sufficient for now, is worried about the fee hikes.
"If there is an increase in fees because of the GST and all, it may not be enough," she said.
She said new students getting smaller loans are likely to suffer more.
Alyssa suggested that the government take a tougher stance against defaulters.
PTPTN has to date blacklisted over 100,000 defaulters besides hitting them with a travel ban.
UCSI student Tan Wei Jian, a third year degree student in marketing communications, too support stronger action against debtors instead of penalising new students.
Tan said he still needs to fork out another RM8,000 even with the PTPTN loan and new students will likely feel the pinch with a cut.
JAKE CARTER is a trainee reporter at Malaysiakini .
Related stories
UIA locks up, goes dark to stop student rally
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.