PTPTN collects nearly RM240 million from borrowers

A total of 45,550 out of the 132,801 borrowers of study loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) who were blacklisted had made loan repayments amounting to RM239.44 million, up to October 31.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching said the move to blacklist the borrowers was not carried out indiscriminately but it was a last resort after the borrowers failed to make repayments and came for negotiations.

"The borrowers are blacklisted after five reminders are sent to the borrowers or 16 months after the completion of their studies," she told the Dewan Rakyat sitting, here today.

The deputy minister said this when replying to a question from Wan Hasan Mohd Ramli (PAS-Dungun) on the burden and implication borne by the PTPTN borrowers if they failed to repay the loan.

She said that among the implications faced by the borrowers included blacklisting at the Immigration Department and summonses as well as various other reminders and negotiations offered by the PTPTN.

On borrowers who were still unemployed, Yap said the ministry allowed them to postpone repayment for two years and they had to approach the PTPTN for the negotiation process.