Blacklisted PTPTN borrowers advised to come forward to discuss repayment

More than fifty per cent of the 586,863 borrowers of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) who are in the Immigration blacklist and barred from leaving the country have come forward to negotiate on their repayment.

PTPTN chief executive officer Wan Ahmad Wan Yusoff said as a result of that, RM967.9 million in loan repayment had been collected from them as of last Jan 31.

The blacklist action by the Immigration Department against the loan defaulters resulted in them being barred from leaving the country, apply for new passport or renew their passport, he said.

He was met after the launch of the PTPTN branch office at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching on Saturday.

Wan Ahmad said PTPTN borrowers should not worry about not being able to settle their loan arrears as it could be resolved by discussing the matter with the PTPTN officers.

"Borrowers who are in the Immigration blacklist are required to full-settle their loans or the amount of arrears, including cost.

"However, if they cannot afford, they should discuss with PTPTN so that the repayment can be restructured or through other method agreed by both parties," he said.

On the PTPTN branch office at KLIA2, he said it was opened on March 1 and for 24 hours every, including public holidays.

PTPTN has also embarked on a strategic cooperation with Airasia to encourage PTPTN loan repayment using the AirAsia Big Prepaid MasterCard, where for every RM2 in loan repayment, the cardholder would be given one point which could then be reimbursed with purchase of Airasia flight tickets or accommodation at selected hotels.

--BERNAMA