PAS has supported plans by student groups to hold a demonstration to demand for National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans to be written off.

At a press conference today, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said writing off the loans should be deemed as a gesture of appreciation to students and a form of investment in young talents.

Mohamad said PAS has taken this stand because the federal government often writes off debts by Umno-linked corporate figures, citing the case of former MAS chairperson Tajudin Ramli.

“In the case of Tajudin, almost RM600 million was written off. Why can’t who owe between RM3,000 to RM6,000 have their loans written off as well?.

“Corporate figures are given easy access to credit and later written off, but students who serve the country are forced to pay back their loans through intimidating means,” he said.

The demonstration has been mooted by student group Gamis and Solidarity Mahasiwa Malaysia (SMM). No date has been fixed for the protest.

PTPTN defaulted face travel restrictions as well as possible legal action.