By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Oct 10: The federal government— through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN)—will introduce free higher education, as well as exempt loan repayments for high-performing students in public universities (IPTAs) next year.
According to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the free education scheme is expected to benefit 5,800 students from low-income families studying at public universities with an allocation of RM120 million annually.
As for the PTPTN loan repayment exemption, it will be for all students from low- and middle-income families who graduate with First-Class Honours Bachelor’s Degrees from public universities, expected to benefit approximately 6,000 borrowers, with an annual allocation of RM90 million.
“The government will impose travel restrictions on borrowers who are financially capable and working abroad but fail to repay their PTPTN loans,” he said during the tabling of Budget 2026 today.
The prime minister also announced that the government has agreed to the addition of 1,500 new undergraduate places in 10 fields of study across five research universities, including law, accounting, economics, banking, Islamic finance, artificial intelligence, and languages.
“This initiative aims to give more opportunities to high-achieving youths, including STPM graduates, to further their studies at research universities.
“The government has agreed to allow public university teaching hospitals to establish endowment funds. Contributions to these funds will be eligible for income tax deductions, and all donations and income generated from these funds will be fully exempted from tax,” he said. — DayakDaily
