PUBLIC feedback will be considered before the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) reintroduces the travel ban for loan defaulters, said Education Minister Maszlee Malik.

He said the idea is at the proposal level after engagements with various stakeholders.

“Now, PTPTN is doing public consultation to get feedback but the majority of Malaysians do not agree with the suggestion (impose a travel ban on defaulters).

“However, I have asked PTPTN to engage the media in order to provide the real picture so that people can get the right information,” he said today.

“For the young people out there (the borrowers), Insya Allah (God willing), we will try to help as best as we can.

“This is my commitment as a responsible minister,” said Maszlee, who is also Simpang Renggam MP.

PTPTN’s decision will be announced in July after the public consultation that includes blacklisting defaulters and giving discounts for PTPTN borrowers.

The fund’s deputy chief executive Mastura Mohd Khalid Thursday said one of the ideas that came from public consultation was stricter enforcement on long-time loan defaulters.

Mastura said the idea came from discussions with stakeholders, including financial experts, members of parliament and students from January to March, leading to a six-step enforcement mechanism – one of it barring defaulters from renewing their passports, driving licences and road tax. – Bernama, May 18, 2019.