PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in the 2024 Budget that those who borrowed from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (or PTPTN) would receive discounts of 10% to 15% on their loans when they make full or partial payments from now until March 31, 2024. This is indeed good news for PTPTN borrowers and a laudable move on the government’s part.
Perhaps this is also an opportune time for us to take cognisance of the fact that there are many students who had earlier “borrowed” from the Public Service Department (PSD) to further their studies either locally or overseas. The PSD normally offers only scholarships; but loans were offered due to the overwhelming number of students with excellent SPM results applying for scholarships. Some have since graduated with excellent grades in their respective fields of study. Many have been making their scheduled monthly repayments regularly and faithfully.