KOTA KINABALU: News of the federal cabinet’s decision to reject the proposal to link the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) with Bank Negara’s credit reference database has been greeted with relief.
Stephanie Laura Joannes was among those who took a deep breath after learning the good news yesterday.
“I graduated about two years ago, and although I am working now, I would really like to secure a job from the course I took because it defeats all purpose of spending four years studying but in the end, not doing what you learned,” said the 24-year-old lass.
She said from her monthly earning, she tries to set aside a little bit as payment for the PTPTN loan, but explained: “With the high living costs in the city, it is hard to make ends meet sometimes.”
Stephanie said when she first heard the decision to link PTPTN to the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS), she was worried as borrowers like herself were already forced to pay up, and despite having low salaries, they might also not be able to have a chance to own a house or car, if blacklisted.
But the latest decision has lifted a heavy burden on her shoulder, and she thanked the government for listening to the people’s plight.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, who is also the minister in charge of education in Sabah, also described it as a good decision, especially for new graduates who are just seeking a foothold in life.
“It is not easy to find a job in Sabah for graduates who are expecting ‘a graduate post’. Many are doing odd-jobs while waiting for suitable ones and some may have ventured into small businesses.
“Obviously, many graduates would experience ups and downs in their initial career so we should allow them reasonable time to really settle down.
“Getting them out of the CCRIS system would lift some burden on them in their endeavour to seek a more permanent and steady career,” said Masidi in a text message.
Umno Youth also lauded the government’s decision to postpone the listing of errant borrowers of PTPTN in the CCRIS.
Its chief, Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, said the decision was apt with the current situation.
“The method is truly unsuitable, there are so many other ways that can be used to get the borrowers to repay their loans.
“We can also take legal action against the errant borrowers. Why do we have to scare or blacklist those who are slow to pay or those who have applied for loan repayment exemption,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Khairy, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said only five to six per cent of the PTPTN borrowers refused to pay their loans, while the rest were slow payers or were waiting to secure a more stable job before repaying their loans.
Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan also said the decision was apt as it could help reduce the burden faced by the borrowers.
However, he said it did not mean that the borrowers were spared from repaying the loans.
“When we borrow, we must repay. Islam also compels all Muslims to pay back their debts,” he told Bernama yesterday.
The decision to postpone the blacklisting of the errant PTPTN borrowers in CCRIS with the cooperation of Bank Negara was announced by Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
He said the decision was made at the Cabinet meeting yesterday and further action would be decided after getting the views of all quarters.