KUCHING, Feb 9: The State government will continue to help Sarawakian students repay their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans with RM38 million which has been set aside for 2021 subsidies.
Assistant Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang confirmed this following a courtesy call on Yayasan Sarawak director Mersal Abang Rosli yesterday.
“Many parents and borrowers have asked whether this initiative, which was launched in 2020, will continue again for 2021 as many had paid their PTPTN loans up to 30 per cent or more.
“So, they are anxious whether they will receive such a discount and now, the answer is ‘yes’, the Sarawak government will continue this initiative,” he assured parents in a press statement today.
Tiang, who is also the Pelawan assemblyman, said that the Sarawak government has also set aside RM38 million for 2021 subsidies to cater for more eligible recipients.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had announced this initiative early last year and RM30 million had initially been set aside for this initiative.
Only Sarawakians who have repaid at least 30 per cent of their PTPTN arrears are eligible for such assistance from the State government.
“Under this initiative, for Sarawakian borrowers who have paid at least 30 per cent of their PTPTN loan, Yayasan Sarawak would pay another 30 per cent of their loan balance,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Yayasan Sarawak also advised PTPTN borrowers to take advantage of federal subsidies for the first half of 2022.
Tiang pointed out that during the Budget 2022 announcement last year, the government announced a discount of 10 to 15 per cent on PTPTN repayments beginning Nov 1, 2021 until April 30, 2022 which would benefit a total of 1.67 million PTPTN borrowers nationwide.
From the initiative, PTPTN borrowers who pay off their loans in full are eligible for a 15 per cent discount on their outstanding balance in the first category.
Those who pay off at least 50 per cent of their remaining debt in a single payment will receive a 12 per cent discount.
For the third category, a 10 per cent discount will be offered for those who make repayment by salary deduction or direct debit on a predetermined schedule.
“For the second half, the Sarawak government will continue to repay the 30 per cent of their arrears as we did last year,” Tiang said. — DayakDaily
