TRAVEL bans for National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) defaulters are unreasonable, said Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today.

She was commenting on the recent suggestion by the fund’s deputy chief executive Mastura Mohd Khalid that long-time loan defaulters be slapped with heavier enforcement measures.

“The cabinet has yet to decide on the PTPTN matter. We were surprised when (talk of the bans) came out again.

“PTPTN has given our children opportunities for higher education, which is good. But some of them don’t pay their debts. That is a problem. However, a ban is unreasonable,” she told reporters at a recent breaking of fast event in Kuala Lumpur.

Mastura said the idea came from discussions with stakeholders, financial experts, members of Parliament, and students, leading to a six-step enforcement mechanism – one of it barring defaulters from renewing their passports, driving licenses and road tax.

PTPTN chairman Wan Saiful Wan Jan said earlier this month that the public consultation paper that comprises sections on policies and latest facts will be presented to the public this month.

He recently drew flak from Penang exco Afif Bahardin, who said Wan Saiful should consider resigning if he cannot defend Pakatan Harapan’s promise to defer repayment of loans for borrowers earning less than RM4,000 a month and eliminate the policy of blacklisting defaulters. – May 19, 2019.