5 PTPTN borrowers to withdraw suit against Harapan over GE14 promises

Following the formation of the current Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, five National High Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers now intend to withdraw their lawsuit against the previous Pakatan Harapan administration.

Prior to the PN administration, the five individuals have taken Harapan and two others to court over the issue of alleged unfulfilled 14th general election promises linked to the deferment of PTPTN loan repayment for borrowers earning less than RM4,000 a month. 

The current PN government was formed following a series of meetings between several key political factions on Feb 23, with a particular meeting at the Sheraton Hotel at Petaling Jaya on that day leading to political observers dubbing the event as the Sheraton Move. 

When contacted by Malaysiakini this afternoon, lawyer Adnan Seman confirmed that his clients, who are the five plaintiffs, issued the withdrawal instruction to him a few days after the formation of the PN administration.

“We (lawyers) have been given instruction (to withdraw the suit) as the government has changed,” he said, adding that they received the said instruction a few days after the new administration was formed.

Adnan, however, pointed out that they have not managed to officially withdraw the legal action yet as the judiciary and legal sector are currently restricted in operation following the nationwide movement control order (MCO) imposed on March 18.

“We have not managed to inform (the court) yet. Now we are waiting for the end of the MCO period (before coming to court to properly withdraw the legal action,” Adnan said.

On Oct 22 last year, the five PTPTN borrowers - Andry Putra Haris, 29, Farah Athirah Kamarozaman, 28, Mohamad Asrol Md Jailani, 27, Mohamad Muzakkir Mohamad Ali, 27, and Mohammad Aswad Sobri, 35 - filed the suit, which named Harapan, PTPTN and the government as the defendants.

The five plaintiffs claimed that the three defendants are contractually bound to deliver the promises in the manifesto - such as the ones in relation to the deferment on PTPTN loan repayment for borrowers making less than RM4,000 a month.

On Jan 10 this year, Malaysiakini reported that Harapan, PTPTN and the government have filed applications to strike out the suit.  - Mkini