PTPTN did not propose reimposition of travel ban, explains Maszlee

The National Higher Education Fund (PTPN) did not propose to reimpose a travel ban on loan defaulters, said Education Minister Maszlee Malik.

According to him, the suggestion was made by stakeholders during PTPTN's public consultation on loan repayments.

"This (travel ban for loan defaulters) was not their (PTPTN's) suggestion, but when reporters asked (PTPTN chairperson Wan Saiful Wan Jan), he answered as such.

"It is my view that PTPTN should explain to the media so that such misunderstandings don't occur," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

In a media briefing yesterday, the PTPTN management said it was also looking at several options to improve study loan repayments.

According to the fund's deputy CEO Mastura Mohd Khalid, this included a proposal to bar defaulters from renewing their passports, driving licences, road tax and business licences.

The travel ban was part of a 10-point proposal presented to PTPTN during a series of stakeholder engagements that kicked off in December last year.

The other recommendations include for the corporation to impose mandatory pay deductions, stricter enforcement and a guarantor system.

Mastura said the travel ban has been PTPTN's most successful method to recover loans from defaulters, with more than two-thirds making payments after the ban was imposed.

Following her remarks, social media was awash with postings noting how Pakatan Harapan had criticised the travel ban prior to the last general election.

On Umno Online's Facebook page, there was an image of Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman holding a placard which read, 'Come back to vote to abolish the PTPTN blacklist'.