KUALA LUMPUR – The National Student Consultative Council (MPPK) has expressed strong support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s proposal to review the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan rates and repayment terms.
In a statement, the council described the move as a reflection of the government’s concern for student welfare and its commitment to ensuring that higher education remains inclusive and accessible to all.
MPPK said the proposed review was timely, particularly given the current rise in living costs, which has affected many students.
“There is a need to reassess the current PTPTN loan rates in light of the increasing cost of living that impacts students’ daily lives. Improving the loan amount will not only enhance their overall well-being on campus but also allow them to focus on their studies without being overwhelmed by financial burdens,” the council said.
The council also urged students facing financial hardship to reach out to MPPK or their respective university student councils, noting their readiness to act as a bridge between students, universities, and the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE).
MPPK acknowledged the continuous efforts by MOHE and higher learning institutions in providing support schemes such as the Sulung Programme, scholarships, bursaries, and targeted financial assistance. These initiatives, it said, demonstrated a genuine commitment to ensuring that no student is left behind due to economic constraints.
The council further voiced its full support for the suggested revision of PTPTN repayment terms, believing that more flexible and progressive arrangements would ease the burden on graduates and improve long-term repayment rates.
MPPK commended PTPTN’s ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders and offer diverse repayment options, saying such approaches deserve praise.
“We support PTPTN’s humane and empathetic approach, which aligns with the principles of Malaysia MADANI. This not only reinforces social responsibility among young borrowers but also helps sustain the national education fund,” it said.
Reaffirming its role as a national student voice, MPPK stressed its continued commitment to conveying students’ views and aspirations to relevant stakeholders, and to advocating for equitable access to quality education.
The statement follows Anwar’s remarks during a campus dialogue session at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) on April 11, where he said the government was looking into ways to revise PTPTN’s financial model amid rising debts, which now stand close to RM40 billion.
“If we increase (the loan rate), (perhaps) it (the amount of loan) is going to be RM50 billion. For now, I see we just have to hold on. We will help students in terms of their needs, but I think we have to have the courage to revise.
“I reiterate my earlier point that we can resolve this if we do, for example, tax the very rich. Those parents who are very rich should pay, then at least we can transfer that to the poorer students,” he said. – April 13, 2025