Govt mulls reviewing PTPTN loan rates, repayment terms

The government is considering reviewing the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan rates and repayment terms to better assist borrowers while addressing the issue of high outstanding debts.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, said the move comes as PTPTN’s outstanding debt has, to date, nearly reached RM40 billion.

“And if we increase (the loan rate), (perhaps) it (the amount of loan) is going to be RM50 billion. For now, I see we just have to hold on. We will help students in terms of their needs, but I think we have to have the courage to revise.

“I reiterate my earlier point that we can resolve this if we do, for example, tax the very rich. Those parents who are very rich should pay, then at least we can transfer that to the poorer students,” he said.

The prime minister said this during the Temu Anwar programme held at the Cultural Activities Centre, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Gombak Campus.

The programme, an open dialogue session between the prime minister and the campus community, particularly university students, was attended by nearly 3,000 staff and students.

Also present were Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and IIUM Rector Prof Emeritus Osman Bakar.

- Bernama

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