Anwar urges gov't to solve PTPTN woes

PKR AGM | Anwar Ibrahim has urged the government to solve the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) woes as soon as possible.

"The government must be smarter in resolving the PTPTN student loan debt, which is now one of the things the rakyat is anxious about," the PKR president said in his policy speech at the party's national congress in Malacca, today.

"We must accept the reality that we have inherited a weak system. We cannot use the old rhetoric," said Anwar, who is also Port Dickson MP. 

Anwar brought up the rate of unemployment among graduates as well, saying that the unemployment issue should be given priority by the government.

Yesterday at the PKR Youth congress, Youth chief Akmal Nasir had also urged in his policy speech for PTPTN to be replaced with a more holistic and sustainable policy.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik had previously said a committee will be formed to look into possible new models to replace PTPTN.

In his speech today, Anwar also spoke about the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)

While supporting the IPCMC, he said it was imperative for the government to support and defend civil servants.

"There are concerns from the police but the IPMC should be defended so that the rule of law (is upheld). But don't give the impression that the IPCMC only focuses on police misconduct," he said.

"Aside from that, it is meant to protect the police force in terms of welfare and to give the force acknowledgement." 

On Dec 3, it was announced that the second and third readings of the IPCMC Bill had been postponed to the next Parliament session next March.

This is the second time the debate on the IPCMC Bill has been postponed.

In October last year, the bill was referred to the Parliament Special Select Committee to be discussed more thoroughly before being taken to the Dewan Rakyat.

The IPCMC Bill was first tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on July 18, and will replace the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission to improve the integrity and capabilities of the police. - Mkini