Respite for PTPTN borrowers

BURDEN EASED: The deferment until Sept is automatic for all PTPTN borrowers.

TO cushion the impact of the movement control order (MCO), the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) is deferring loan repayments until Sept 30 this year.

Initially a three-month deferment, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced

on Monday that it would be extended to six months to help borrowers cope in light of Covid-19. The move will involve a collection amounting to RM750mil, benefiting almost 1.5 million PTPTN borrowers.

Here’s what you should know about the deferment which is automatically granted to all borrowers effective March 19:

> Borrowers are exempted from legal enforcement and action throughout the deferral period.

> Those who wish to continue repaying can do so via internet banking; no need to fill any forms.

> Only borrowers who pay through salary deduction and direct debit are required to apply at www.ptptn.gov.my/covid-19 to continue their repayment through these two channels.

> No new application for repayment through salary deduction and direct debit is required once the deferral period is over; deductions will resume as normal.

> Borrowers who have been repaying through the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) are required to consult with the agency on the matter.

> Borrowers who repaid their loans through salary deductions for March will not receive a refund as salary deductions and direct debit deferrals will be enforced starting April, except for borrowers who agree to continue their deductions.

> Employers who help to pay off their workers’ outstanding loans won’t have to reimburse their employees for their March repayments. Employers must credit the deduction amount directly to PTPTN.

> Repayment period for all borrowers without arrears prior to the deferment announcement will be extended through the restructuring of loans.

> Borrowers with arrears before the announcement was made must consult with PTPTN to restructure their loans.

> For conventional borrowers, loan restructuring will be implemented through the exchange of Ujrah.

> All loan restructuring applications can only be done after the deferral period.

> Borrowers’ Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) record will remain the same as before, except for those who continue repaying during this six-month period. Their CCRIS records will be updated.

> Loan restructuring will not affect borrowers’ CCRIS records as long as they don’t have prior arrears.

> Borrowers will only receive a notification notice via the email address registered with PTPTN, and not a new agreement for the extension in the repayment period.

> Borrowers who want to update their email addresses can do so at https://www.ptptn.gov.my/mail/Utama.

> Administrative cost/ujrah will be charged throughout the deferral period.

> Decisions on the deferral in repayment will be reviewed periodically.

> PTPTN will operate within a limited capacity during the MCO.

> Headquarters and all PTPTN branches are closed, as well as its careline number (03-21933000), starting March 26.

> Customers can communicate with PTPTN during the MCO by contacting the officers listed in https://www.ptptn.gov.my/hubungi-ptptn; or by submitting their questions at https://bit.ly/eAduanPTPTN. Feedback will be provided within seven working days.