PUTRAJAYA: The government is not solely considering the reintroduction of travel restrictions to encourage more borrowers to repay their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Instead, he said the government will take a holistic approach in assessing factors influencing loan repayment collections, even though no decision has been made regarding the reintroduction of travel restrictions.
"We are not relying on that (travel restrictions) as the only method (to increase repayments). We need to look at the overall factors that can help us improve loan collection.
"This includes conducting collection efforts or using agents to inform borrowers, as well as sending reminder letters," he told reporters after attending the Prime Minister's Ihya' Ramadan Programme with Higher Education Ministry staff on Monday (March 17).
He was responding to questions on whether the government is still considering reinstating overseas travel bans for PTPTN borrowers who fail to repay their loans.
Meanwhile, Zambry said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday expressed his hopes for the ministry to play a key role in driving major reforms in the country.
He added that the Prime Minister conveyed this during a meeting with the ministry's senior management, during which they discussed various aspects related to governance improvements, reform initiatives and the ministry's key achievements.
"He hopes that the ongoing transformation will have a significant impact -- not just on the economy and development but also on human capital growth," he said.
The Prime Minister met with ministry officials before joining about 300 ministry staff for a Ramadan religious talk delivered by Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, on the topic "Maqasid Al-Quran dan Masyarakat Madani".
Also present were Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud and ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Anesee Ibrahim. - Bernama
