Student activist Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi reminded Perbadanan Tabung Pinjaman Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) to be prepared to face the anger and wrath of Malaysians if they decide to continue with the suggestion to reimpose the blacklist policy against those who fail to pay back their loans.
Asheeq stated, as reported by Malaysiakini, that PTPTN will be acting similar to an illegal money lender if they go on with the idea. He said,
“The proposal is as though PTPTN is a loan shark whose work is to choke the money out of people.
“If PTPTN wants to go on with it, then they should be prepared to face the backlash and anger of so many Malaysians. Please be honest and don’t try to make a fool of us PTPTN borrowers.”
Asheeq’s reaction was prompted by PTPTN Chairperson Wan Saiful’s statement that the idea of reimposing the blacklist did not come from PTPTN but it is still under discussion between the corporation and a few other groups. However, Wan Saiful stated clearly that he did not agree with the idea.
Asheeq also urged the government to establish a committee to handle the PTPTN issue appropriately. He said,
“The government should place PTPTN under a committee focusing on restoring the institution and treating the PTPTN borrowers with utmost fairness.”
Many netizens expressed their disagreement on the matter, stating that the PTPTN money given to students is a loan not a grant.
We do believe that if one is to borrow money from someone, then he or she should be more responsible to settle the loan. Hence if you are a borrower, please settle your loan, no matter how little you can pay every month. Trust us, your conscience will be clear after you make the payment. If one can afford to leave the country via flight, so why not pay back the loan eh? 😉
Also read: Govt May Once Again Ban PTPTN Borrowers With Outstanding Payments From Leaving the Country