The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has reaffirmed that the loan repayment exemption for first-class bachelor’s degree graduates remains in place, following an allegation by PAS assemblyman Haim Hilman Abdullah that the policy has been abolished.
In a statement, PTPTN chairman Norliza Abdul Rahim said the incentive, which was implemented in 2019, was never revoked.
“PTPTN urges all parties not to politicise education matters and to respect existing policies that directly benefit successful graduates. Our primary focus is to ensure that education continues to serve as a platform for human development, not as a stage for politics,” she said.
Norliza said that graduates who fulfil all criteria would be able to apply for the repayment exemption through PTPTN’s website.
She also said that PTPTN remains committed to ensuring that the application process for this incentive would be carried out in a transparent, efficient and fair manner, in order to safeguard the welfare of borrowers while supporting the nation’s higher education aspirations.
Haim, the Jitra assemblyman, had questioned the government’s decision to abolish the policy that allowed PTPTN loans to be converted into scholarships for students graduating with first-class honours.
“This shows that the current government has no concern for the people. We must reject them in the upcoming general election,” he was reported to have said at PAS‘s muktamar.
