KUALA LUMPUR: A comprehensive study is needed before the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan waiver initiative for first-class graduates can be extended to private university students, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
The Higher Education Minister said the decision to offer PTPTN loan exemptions to graduates from the Bottom 40 (B40) and Middle 40 (M40) income groups who achieve first-class honours currently applies only to those from public universities.
"If we look back, the policy has changed several times since 2001, depending on the needs and financial position at the time.
"The current policy provides exemptions for students from the B40 and M40 income groups who graduate with first-class honours.
"The Higher Education Ministry is currently conducting a comprehensive review, including how to assess results from private universities, particularly since their grading systems differ," he said during the winding-up of the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026 for the Higher Education Ministry in Parliament on Monday (Oct 3).
He explained that at public universities, the system is standardised as compared to those in the private universities.
"I am not questioning the results of the first class produced by private universities. We just need to find the best mechanism.
"This does not mean that the government will not consider extending the policy to private universities in the future," said Zambry.
When tabling Budget 2026, the government said it will grant PTPTN loan repayment exemptions to students who graduate with first-class honours bachelor's degrees from public universities and come from B40 and M40 families, benefiting around 6,000 borrowers with an annual allocation of RM90mil.
