KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — Travel restrictions abroad will only apply to National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) defaulters with high or adequate income, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Higher Education Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim said the strict action does not apply to borrowers who have recently graduated or who do not yet have an income, especially those in the B40 or M40 groups.
“Only borrowers with high or sufficient income who are genuinely in default and meet certain criteria will face travel restrictions,” he said in response to Maran MP Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib's query.
Adam added that currently, about 0.7 per cent of all PTPTN defaulters are subject to these travel restrictions.
In addition, to ease the burden on graduates, the 12-month grace period for repayment after graduation is maintained, allowing them time to secure employment and a stable income.
Borrowers who are unable to meet repayments may restructure their loans based on their financial capacity until age 60.
He noted that to date, a total of RM77.5 billion in loans has been disbursed to assist more than 4.26 million students nationwide.
