Najib slams Putrajaya’s deception on student loan repayments

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 3 Nov 2018 6:37PM · 5 Comments

Former prime minister Najib Razak says youth voted for Pakatan Harapan in GE14 because they thought they would not need to repay their student loans until their salaries hit RM4,000. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, November 3, 2018.

PUTRAJAYA has deceived National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers by asking them to start repaying their loans at a lower salary threshold than promised, said Najib Razak.

The former prime minister said the government’s proposal, made during the tabling of Budget 2019 yesterday, would also see the loan instalments deducted from borrowers’ salaries.

He said youth have shared their frustrations with him, and told him they regret voting for Pakatan Harapan in the May 9 general election.

“They voted for PH because they thought they would not need to repay their loans until their salaries reached RM4,000.

“The budget states that those earning below RM1,000 need not pay. Even a Bangladeshi grass cutter earns more than RM1,000,” he said at the “Sembang Santai Najib” (A Casual Chat With Najib) tea session with supporters, held at the Putra World Trade Centre, today.

When tabling the budget yesterday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the PTPTN loan repayments would be done through scheduled deductions of between 2% and 15% of borrowers’ monthly income starting next year, and only for those earning above RM1,000 a month.

PH, in its election manifesto, had promised borrowers that repayments could be delayed until they earned RM4,000 a month.

Lim also said companies aiding fresh-graduate employees settle their PTPTN debts would be given tax exemptions.

Najib said when he helmed the government, he had given discounts to borrowers who could not afford to pay the full instalment sum.

“If they couldn’t afford the RM300 instalment, we let them pay RM100, or even RM50.” – November 3, 2018.

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Comments

  • Biasalah ada jer yg tak kena. Udah udahlah tu. Bagi lah org lain plak yg menguruskan pentadbiran negara. Masa dah habis.

    Posted 7 years ago by Hazlan Sani · Reply

  • Shame on you for failing to create jobs for these graduates. They are supposed to be earning a decent living now should you have been a clean and good PM.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Apa apa tajuk pun Si Lanun ni nak bising. Cepat cepat pergi beli 2 gulung tali laaaa.

    Posted 7 years ago by Arshad Lazim · Reply

  • Creating and using such lame excuses to hit out at the PH Government is shameful. Dont try to influence and garner support from the young inexperienced ptptn loan borrowers.. Jibby is cunning... pulling out all that he has got in his arsenal.. a very desperate man. Cant blame him. He has nothing to lose but so much to gain

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Sell amah's pink diamond, i dare you

    Posted 7 years ago by Wen Chiuan Woo · Reply