The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) must not resort to prosecute any borrowers in efforts to collect loan payments, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

However, he said borrowers should first discuss with the PTPTN on the best repayment method or restructure their loan without facing any prosecution.

He said according to a survey of default PTPTN borrowers, they were not among borrowers without money but were tied with loan repayments such as house, car or personal installations.

"What is important, if we owe, we must pay back. So borrowers who are unable to repay can meet and discuss their loan restructuring with PTPTN first," he said.

He told reporters this after officiating at the 18th International Conference For University Administration 2016, organised by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) here today.

The three-day conference, which began yesterday, were attended by 336 participants, including from Brunei and Yemen.

He said ever since PTPTN used various loan repayment methods, including through monthly salary deduction, the total repayment amount had increased.

"PTPTN's target to reach a collection of RM2 billion this year has been attained and we expect the total amount to reach RM3 billion by this year's end, he said, adding that the borrowers were increasingly aware of their responsibility. -- Bernama