Repay your PTPTN loans: Begin your career with integrity and sense of responsibility

 

Letter to editor

I FEEL compelled to write this letter after reading a report highlighting that RM11.32 bil remains outstanding from 1.25 million borrowers of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), including tens of thousands who have never made a single repayment.

The report also revealed that PTPTN requires RM3 bil annually to support 450,000 existing borrowers and fund 150,000 new students.

This raises a critical question: If borrowers continue to neglect their repayment obligations, where will the funding come from to ensure that future students enjoy the same educational opportunities?

Higher education is not just a means to improve individual lives; it is the foundation of a nation’s development. This aspiration, however, can only be realised if all borrowers fulfil their responsibilities.

It is unfair to those who diligently repay their loans – many of whom come from less privileged backgrounds – to see the sustainability of this fund jeopardised by the lack of consideration and callousness of others.

Image credit: Freepik

As borrowers transition into the world of employment, ethics and integrity should become the cornerstone of both their professional and personal lives.

Meeting obligations such as repaying PTPTN loans is not merely a contractual requirement; it reflects a borrower’s character and commitment to society.

Ethical foundation

Financial literacy is an essential skill that every borrower must embrace. Learning to budget, living within one’s means and prioritising obligations such as loan repayments are critical steps toward financial independence.

Regardless of one’s income, setting aside funds for loan repayments and supporting one’s family – particularly parents who have made sacrifices – should be non-negotiable priorities.

Avoiding repayment or delaying responsibility reflects poorly on maturity and integrity. It not only risks the sustainability of the national education fund but also tarnishes the reputation of borrowers in the eyes of their employers and society.

Employees who are ethical, accountable and dependable become pillars of their organisations and contribute meaningfully to the economy and social progress.

I fully support PTPTN’s initiatives such as flexible repayment plans, loan restructuring options and the recently launched ‘LESTARI Pendidikan’ campaign.

These initiatives provide borrowers with opportunities to discuss, negotiate and find solutions tailored to their financial circumstances. PTPTN’s commitment to borrower welfare is commendable but success depends on borrowers taking action.

PTPTN chairperson Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim

Do not live under the shadow of financial anxiety – take the first step by engaging with PTPTN and resolving outstanding payments for a brighter and more stable future

Repayment of loans is not just about clearing one’s debt; it is about reclaiming control over one’s life. Imagine a life free from financial stress and the constant fear of legal actions.

By utilising the avenues provided by PTPTN, borrowers can step out of these shadows and build a stable, fulfilling life.

Don’t be selfish

In fact, employers also have a role to play – they can support their employees through initiatives such as salary deductions and corporate social responsibility programs.

Borrowers, on their part, must take the initiative to reach out to PTPTN and explore payment plans that align with their financial capabilities.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on many borrowers, particularly in terms of financial stability, PTPTN has demonstrated empathy by introducing measures to help borrowers restructure their finances.

These opportunities must be appreciated and leveraged to ensure that the education fund remains available for future generations.

At the same time, I do urge PTPTN to continue its empathetic approach by evaluating cases of borrowers who have yet to secure employment.

Despite various initiatives such as loan restructuring and flexible payment plans, these cases warrant special consideration and a tailored approach to ensure these borrowers are not unduly burdened while still encouraging gradual repayment.

In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to call upon all PTPTN borrowers to fulfil their obligations with a sense of responsibility and accountability.

The world of employment is a pivotal milestone in everyone’s life. It is an opportunity to lay a strong foundation for a positive future.

Do not be bogged down with worries about and having to evade existing loans. PTPTN loan repayment is not just a contractual duty; it ensures that higher education remains accessible to the next generation.

Together, society, employers and all stakeholders must come together to support PTPTN’s initiatives by encouraging borrowers to come forward and find solutions.

Only through collective commitment can we safeguard a robust, inclusive higher education system that serves as a catalyst for the nation’s progress. Act with integrity for the sake of future generations. 

Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal is the Union Network International, Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.