PTPTN backs down on Unisel, Kuis loan freeze

The National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) has backed down on its freeze on student loans to two Selangor government-run institutions.

A Selangor government source familiar with the matter said Unisel students can apply for the loans starting tonight.

Meanwhile, a highly-ranked PTPTN source confirmed that the reversal also applies to another Selangor-run varsity Selangor International Islamic University College (Kuis).

Unisel is expected to officially announce this at a press conference at 3pm today.

A tweet by Umno Youth's PTPTN roundtable also confirmed that the freeze has been lifted.

"Good news! For the sake of the rakyat, PTPTN has agreed to disburse loans to Unisel students. Please spread the news!" it said in a posting at about 11.40am today. 

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin who yesterday had called for a reversal of the freeze had also tweeted today that further extending the freeze to Kuis is "morally wrong and bad politics".

Malaysiakini on Tuesday reported that PTPTN had a temporarily freeze on loans for Unisel and Kuis students, in response to Pakatan Rakyat's proposal to provide free education if it takes over the federal government. 

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had admitted yesterday that the freeze was a test for the PKR-led Selangor government to prove it can implement its free education proposal.

Politicans and students alike have slammed the government for being “immature” and have called the BN government’s move to use the student loan as a political weapon “repulsive”.