A student leader from a private college today confirmed that his higher education loan has been suspended for the time being by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) as the latter claims that he had taken part in politics-orientated activities.

Selangor International Islamic University College (Kuis) student representative council member, Ahmad Shukri Kamaruddin, however, has denied campaigning during the recent Hulu Selangor by-election, when contacted today.

ptptn one stop centre kl sentral 260307 entrance "I was there as an individual and not representing any political party or body," said the student when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

According to Ahmad Shukri, his university had informed him on June 1 that his loan had been temporarily suspended and that PTPTN was awaiting for further feedback from Kuis before making a final decision.

Ahmad Shukri’s predicament came to light after Mohd Nasir Zakaria (PAS-Padang Terap), while debating the 10th Malaysia Plan in Parliament yesterday, charged that Ahmad’s loan was suspended merely because he was involved in the Hulu Selangor by-election.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament's lobby after his speech, Mohd Nasir further charged that PTPTN had also withheld new loan applications of about 1,500 new students in an attempt, he claimed, to blackmail Kuis into taking disciplinary action against Ahmad Shukri.

Ahmad Shukri said today he was disappointed that the authorities had moved unilaterally without first giving him a fair hearing.

'I am cooperating fully'

"I am disappointed as the university and PTPTN have jumped to conclusion without hearing my part of the story," he said.

Referring to a statement by one of his university officials yesterday that he was allegedly not cooperating with the university, he said:

"I totally deny that I am not cooperating. I met the university’s rector on June 10 as according to the procedure."

NONE Ahmad also revealed that as a student leader, he had played his part in representing the voice of Kuis students to the PTPTN headquarters following the threat to withhold the loans of 1,500 new students in connection with his matter.

PTPTN to process new applications

He said the name of these 1,500 students has been taken from the orientation list of the new students who had enrolled to the university since May.

"However, I deny filling up the university’ misconduct and discipline complaint form as it will lead to a hearing before the university’s tribunal," he said.

Dismissing the claims by the Padang Terap parliamentarian, PTPTN higher education loan (private universities) director Rahimah Senin, when contacted, said PTPTN will process all new applications from Kuis on June 30.

She said, however, information regarding the status of Ahmad Shukri’s loan, could not revealed.