PTPTN asks EPF and taxman to share borrowers’ info

PETALING JAYA: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has asked the Employees Provident Fund and Inland Revenue Board for assistance on borrowers’ details and data.

PTPTN chairman Wan Saiful Wan Jan said the cooperation would not only help PTPTN to speed up its policy-making process, but would also enable the corporation to verify the information provided by borrowers at the same time.

The information comprises the borrower’s occupation, salary, phone number and e-mail address.

“We also urge all PTPTN borro­wers who have accrued an outstanding balance after the one-year grace period to update their personal information, or it will be understood that they do not wish to delay their repayment.

“If it is not done within the stipulated time, we will assume that they don’t wish to delay the repayment of their loans and they will not be included in new policies with regards to the matter,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Borrowers have until July 25 to do so.

Wan Saiful said the information would help PTPTN identify those who earn less than RM4,000.

As part of its GE14 manifesto, the Pakatan Harapan government has pledged to allow fresh graduates who earn less than RM4,000 to delay settling their loans.

However, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik announced last month that borrowers who fall within this income group will have to continue paying their loans for now until the Government has worked out a way to fulfil its manifesto pledge.

Wan Saiful said PTPTN was facing difficulty in obtaining income details due to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010.

“We have sent a request to the agencies and the Finance Minister to assist us with this information,” he added.

Meanwhile, Amellia Ong, 25, described PTPTN’s call to update borrower’s personal information as a “fair policy”.

“It will help the Government identity applicants who may not be able to repay their loans and are genuinely interested in deferring it.

“I also think it’s fair because with PTPTN’s action of removing defaulters from being blacklisted, they are providing borrowers with an avenue which allows those who earn less than RM4,000 to update their information if they are keen to defer their repayment,” said Ong, who is a Certificate in Legal Practice student.

Advertising executive Jesslyn Tan said the decision would ensure only those earning below RM4,000 are exempted from immediately repaying their loans.

She added that providing the information requested by PTPTN is a justifiable action, even if it has to be completed within the next nine days.

“It is not that hard to update your personal information and this is all a matter of priority,” she said.

Borrowers can update their information on the corporation’s official portal, www.ptptn.gov.my, under Pe­­nge­­­maskinian Maklumat Pendapat.