400,000 PTPTN Loan Defaulters To Be Removed From Travel Blacklist By Next Month
The Education Minister said the process to remove them from a travel blacklist began earlier this month.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik today, 31 May, announced that his ministry is in the midst of removing over 400,000 National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan defaulters from a travel blacklist
Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported that the newly minted minister said the Immigration Department has started removing the names of the defaulters since 24 May. The process is expected to be completed by 15 June.
"Should any of you face trouble at the airport, please contact our officers there," he said as quoted by the Malay Mail.
However, the names of the defaulters will still remain under the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS), barring them from obtaining bank loans
Maszlee added that those with problems with repayment should approach PTPTN to negotiate an amount they can afford to pay.
"They should come to see us to restructure their loan payments if they are having problems. For instance, if they cannot pay RM100 per month, we can discuss lowering the amount," he said in a report by New Straits Times (NST).
Dr Maszlee also noted that Pakatan Harapan's (PH) PTPTN pledge has to put on hold for now due to the country's staggering debt
PH promised in its election manifesto that it will delay repayment for borrowers earning RM4,000 and below.
The Star Online quoted Maszlee as saying that the ministry requires more time to find the best way to fulfil the promise within the 100 days.