Sunday September 2, 2012

RM3.4b in PTPTN loan paid up

TEMERLOH: Students who borrowed from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) are starting to pay up, with RM3.43bil collected by the end of July.

The loans were recovered from 772,200 borrowers, which make up 70.63% of those who had taken loans from the fund, said corporation chairman Datuk Ismail Mohamed Said.

Ismail said there were more than 1.12 million borrowers who took loans of over RM7.33bil.

Welcoming his guests: Ismail greeting some of the 7,000-odd visitors to his Hari Raya Open House in Kerdau.

The increase in loan recovery showed that the students were aware of their responsibility to return the money they had borrowed, he told a Hari Raya gathering at Kerdau near here yesterday.

He added that those who had achieved excellent results in their studies could be exempted from repaying their loans.

He said that up to July 31, some 13,011 borrowers who obtained first class degrees or its equivalent had been exempted from paying back their dues, amounting to more than RM370mil.

Ismail said campaigns by the PTPTN had produced positive results, adding that opening of branches in Pahang, Penang, Malacca, Kelantan and Negri Sembilan had helped.

Two more branches are due to open soon in Sabah and Sarawak.

“The money paid back to us will be used for the benefit of future students who need loans,” he said, adding there should not be any more disputes on the PTPTN loans.

“There should be no more argument on this matter as we have been kind and cooperative by allowing them (the students) to repay as little as RM50 per month.

“If they are are still jobless, we can discuss a mode of payment or a delayed payment,” he said.

Ismail said that since borrowers had benefited from the loans given to them, they should give others a chance to enjoy the same benefits.

News

Sunday September 2, 2012

RM3.4b in PTPTN loan paid up