Over 130,000 PTPTN borrowers enjoy discount in 2017 Budget

A total of 137,609 National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers have enjoyed discount repayment incentives loans from October 22 to Oct 31.

PTPTN chairman, Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the repayment within 10 days after the 2017 Budget presentation involved a collection of RM84.8 million.

"Discounts amounting to RM12.1 million were offered to all borrowers," he told reporters after presenting warrants for cash advance financing for the parlimentary seats of Lenggong, Gerik, Padang Rengas and Kuala Kangsar here on Sunday.

When tabling the 2017 Budget on Oct 21, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that the government agreed to give a discount incentive effective Oct 22 until the end of next year to encourage loan repayments.

"If the repayment trend continues, we hope to achieve the collection target of RM18.3 billion for 2016 compared to a collection of RM9.6 billion up to date," he said.

So far, he said PTPTN had blacklisted 264,000 defaulters and, out of that number, 90,000 borrowers had come forward for consultations with PTPTN.

"Any measures taken are not made arbitrarily because it has to take into account the views of all parties besides placing an importance on negotiations and customer friendly services," he said. -- BERNAMA