The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) announced an aid in the form of SSPN (Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional) savings accounts for the children of firefighters who recently died in a search-and-rescue operation in Puchong.

PTPTN chairperson Wan Saiful Wan Jan made the announcement while launching a savings campaign, billed ‘Kempen Minggu Menabung SSPN 2018’, at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya today.

“It is a form of support for the children of the firefighters who have sacrificed their lives to fulfil their duty. PTPTN will also put in some funds into the accounts.

“I also invite members of the public to contribute, to ensure a brighter future for the children of the deceased firefighters. We will visit the families to determine the amount needed,” he said.

In the incident, six divers from the Fire and Rescue Department’s Water Rescue Unit drowned while searching for a missing teen.

The countrywide campaign which runs from Oct 5 to 7, is being organised for the first time and targets 1,300 new account registrations with a total deposit of RM1.5 million. It aims to increase parents’ awareness on the need to plan and save their children’s tertiary education.

“We are confident of achieving the target. Today at 1 Utama, total deposits have reached RM50,000 and 30 new accounts were opened as of 10am,” said Wan Saiful at a media conference after the campaign’s launch.

From 2004 to Aug 31, 2018, there were 3.6 million SSPN accounts with a total deposit of RM3.8 billion.

PTPTN hopes to achieve RM600 million in total deposits and 350,000 new accounts for this year. There are already 434,000 new SSPN accounts that were opened from Jan 1 to Aug 31 2018, exceeding PTPTN’s new account target.

Apart from that, Wan Saiful also called on parents to make use of the ’Geran Sepadan RM500’ incentive, whereby for every RM500 deposited by parents into the accounts of their children (aged between 7 to 12 years old), an additional RM500 is credited.

Other benefits by SSPN include a tax relief of up to RM6,000 a year, and coverage for deposits of up to RM1 million, depending on the package selected in SSPN-i plus.

– Bernama