The Malaysian Insight

WAN Saiful Wan Jan’s appointment as National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) chairman was not political, said Maszlee Malik.

The education minister said he was appointed only after several people declined to take up the post.

“We tried to contact several parties, particularly those from economic or financial backgrounds. However, no one wanted the job due to the enormous responsibility that comes with it and they were afraid of taking the risk,” he said today.

Wan Saiful’s appointment had raised questions about rewarding candidates who had lost during the 14th general election.

Wan Saiful had contested the Pendang seat but lost.

Maszlee said Wan Saiful had the huge task of fulfilling promises concerning PTPTN in 100 days.

“If you ask me, this was not a political favour, but rather a burden for him,” he said.

The Pakatan Harapan government had promised in its election manifesto to allow PTPTN borrowers to defer repayment if they earned less than RM4,000 a month.

“Pakatan Harapan made this promise, and it will fulfil it.

“Despite this, it is still the moral duty of every Malaysian, when they have borrowed, to pay it back.

PTPTN has seen a drop in collections since January, just after Pakatan Harapan announced it would defer loan repayments for those earning below RM4,000 a month.

Wan Saiful said the corporation was looking into how to fulfil this promise.

He said it was working with the Public Service Department, Inland Revenue Board, Employees Provident Fund, Retirement Fund Inc and the Armed Forces Fund Board, and said a final announcement on the issue would be made by August 17, the 100-day mark. – June 28, 2018.