WAN Saiful Wan Jan, the chairman of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), apologised to the people today as the Pakatan Harapan government will not be able to fulfil its promise of withholding repayments to the fund for loanees with incomes less than RM4,000.

“I apologise to the citizens as most of them expect the manifesto promise to hold payments to be fulfilled. We are not able to carry out the promise,” he said.

Wan Saiful said that the government was unaware of the debt of RM40 billion yet to be paid by loaners at the time that he wrote the promise in the PH manifesto.

“I have spent months in talks on how to implement the promise with PTPTN’s relevant bodies.

“I have to apologise to the public because we are unable to carry out the manifesto promise.”

Wan Saiful said the government leadership is now aware some promises can be fulfilled and some cannot.

He said an announcement and apology should be made to the public once the Pakatan Harapan presidential council arrive at a decision, although Budget 2019 has already confirmed the news.  

“Even though there may not be an official announcement, I felt it was right to give my view as a policymaker, and to apologise on my behalf.”

“As policymakers, I hope we can have the humility to admit what can and cannot be done,” he said. 

The announcement will most probably be made next month via stakeholder engagements with youth, students, relevant agencies, and employers. 

Speaking on whether first class students will be subject to loan repayments, he said privileges would be given to honour students, similar to previous policies. 

“We will keep policies similar to before, with first class students having certain benefits. The details will be released later on,” he said. 

“There will be promises we cannot carry out. I am confident that the people want us to move forward with what we can carry out, and not be shackled by our promises.” – November 10, 2018.