Pakatan's PTPTN payment deferral may not happen, says Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan's pledge to implement a payment deferral for the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) borrowers earning less than RM4,000 a month, may not come true, said Umno's Khairy Jamaluddin.

According to Khairy, this is because the Education Ministry is still studying ways to implement its pledge, while the 100-day deadline is merely less than a month away.

"This shows there is a high probability that this pledge cannot be implemented. Because, even the Education Minister isn't able to provide an explanation," the Rembau MP told reporters during a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday (July 18).

Khairy also pointed out that Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik did not elaborate on how the Government was going to fund the payment deferral, if the pledge is implemented.

"Because, if this pledge is implemented, PTPTN has to take loans to prepare funds for new applicants and these payments will be guaranteed by the Government.

"This will add into the contingent liabilities, which is said to be bloated at present. At the same time, this also contradicts with the Finance Ministry's policy," he added.

Earlier on Wednesday (July 18), Dr Maszlee said the ministry is studying ways to implement the suspension of repayment of PTPTN loans, in response to a supplementary question from Khairy during Question Time in Parliament.

As part of their election manifesto, the Pakatan Government pledged to allow fresh graduates who earn less than RM4,000 to delay settling their loans.

Khairy dismissed Dr Maszlee's remarks as unconvincing, adding that he will pressure the Government into providing a feasible explanation as soon as possible, because many youths voted for Pakatan based on its pledge to delay PTPTN payments.

"They made promises which they did not think through properly and they are having a very difficult time in upholding this manifesto.

"To me, the Education Minister's answer is disappointing. I hope they can explain this issue before the 100-day deadline ends," he added.