KUALA LUMPUR: The significant incentives and discounts offered by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), as announced yesterday, have drawn mixed reactions from netizens.
While some commended the effort by the study loan body to boost borrowers' engagement and ultimately loan repayments, the majority of netizens thought that repayment should be made as soon as possible.
Serene Song said that gone were the days of being self-disciplined and responsible for one's debts. "It's such a pity that now we need to reward people for their obligation to repay the study loans," she said.
Echoing her sentiments was Michael Ung, who said some of these borrowers had no integrity. "It's sad to say that this will be the society in the future," he said.
Others, like Dominic Jesudass, asked the authorities if this was how future leaders were being trained.
"People in authority need to wake up. It's the rakyat's money. Is this how we train our future leaders about responsibility and accountability?"
"This is very unfair," lambasted Vanitha Mani Thevaratnam, who said many who have children are waiting to get these education loans to study, but to no avail. She said that those who received it must eventually pay it back.
Vanitha added that she could not understand why loan defaulters should be rewarded instead of being punished.
"These funds came from the rakyat. Why must we reward these defaulters with our money? I am definitely against this. Defaulters must be penalised, not rewarded," she said.
Sayed Mazawir said that by rewarding one delinquent, we inadvertently breed more delinquents in the future.
"We always reward people for complacency and delinquency. We give discounts for late summons payments and tax dodgers. And now late repayment of student loans. It's a vicious cycle that needs to stop," he said.
Martin Chan said every borrower needs to ensure that repayment of the loan is made consistently. This, so that it would ensure future students will get the help they need.
"Borrowers need to understand that every repayment will help ensure that there's enough funds to assist future students," he said.
Another netizen, Raymund Pang, said those who deferred their loan repayment were selfish. He said those who applied for and received the loan must pay it back; otherwise, they are denying future students the opportunity to benefit from the scheme.
Others, like Manjit Deo, thought that borrowers who paid on time and had been contributing consistently should be the ones rewarded.
"Shouldn't we be rewarding people who are contributing regularly?" she commented.
The 'Jom Bayar PTPTN' campaign, launched to mark 'Hari Mesra Pelanggan PTPTN', allows borrowers to enjoy discounts of up to 15 per cent for loan repayments until Mar 31 next year.
There is a 10 per cent discount for full settlement of the loan, a 10 per cent discount for the payment of at least 50 per cent of the outstanding balance, as well as a 15 per cent discount for salary deductions or scheduled direct debits.
Additionally, PTPTN is running a prize draw, with cash prizes totaling RM70,000 for 140 winners. Each state will offer 10 attractive prizes.
PTPTN chief executive Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid said that to emphasise PTPTN's efforts to adopt a more user-centric approach, it has also expanded its online payment options and extended its offices' operating hours.
The 'Jom Bayar PTPTN' campaign will be held at all PTPTN state offices and branches until Dec 31.
Borrowers can now get information from its call centre (careline) at 03-2193 3000, Live Chat on the PTPTN Portal (www.ptptn.gov.my), PTPTN marketing executives, e-Aduan PTPTN, and PTPTN's social media platforms.