PUTRAJAYA, March 17 — Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said the government is considering other methods to encourage more borrowers to repay their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans, in addition to reintroducing travel restrictions.
Instead, it will take a holistic approach to assess factors influencing loan repayment collections, even though no decision has been made regarding the reintroduction of travel restrictions.
"We are not relying on that (travel restrictions) as the only method (to increase repayments). We need to look at the overall factors that can help us improve loan collection.
"This includes conducting collection efforts or using agents to inform borrowers, as well as sending reminder letters," he told the press after attending the Prime Minister's Ihya' Ramadan programme with Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) staff today.
Zambry was responding to questions on whether the government is still considering reinstating overseas travel bans for PTPTN borrowers who fail to repay their loans.
Meanwhile, he said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his hopes today for the MOHE to play a key role in driving major reforms in the country.
Anwar conveyed this during a meeting with MOHE’s senior management, during which they discussed various aspects related to governance improvements, reform initiatives and the ministry's key achievements.
"He hopes that the ongoing transformation will have a significant impact — not just on the economy and development but also on human capital growth," Zambry said.
The Prime Minister met with MOHE officials before joining about 300 ministry staff for a Ramadan religious talk delivered by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Faculty of Islamic Studies' dean Associate Professor Datuk Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim, on the topic 'Maqasid Al-Quran dan Masyarakat Madani'.
Also present were Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud and MOHE secretary-general Datuk Anesee Ibrahim.
— Bernama
