PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans for students in the M40 (M1) group will be increased from 75% to 100%.

The government, he said, also agreed to provide loans for the purchase of laptops to PTPTN borrowers in this group.

He said the move was among efforts by the government to protect the interests of the Malaysian Family students.

“Believe me, the government always looks after the interests of students… many more announcements will be made that will benefit them,” he said when opening the Semarak Patriotik IPT 2022 at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Also present were Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Maximus Ongkili, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali and Malaysian Armed Forces chief Affendi Buang.

Ismail also said he was informed by Noraini that the Malaysian Family Cheap Sale programme will be held at every institute of higher learning from next month to address the problem of the rising cost of living among students.

He called on students to preserve their self-identity, culture and language by playing the role of nation-builders to give meaning to the nation’s independence like how the past nation-builders fought to free the country from the colonials.

He said they should also be committed to upholding the Malay language as a way to express their love for the country.

“I also use the Malay language when speaking on the international stage and recently, a well-known film director, U-Wei Saari, broke the tradition of the International Film Festival in Moscow, Russia by giving a speech and announcing the winners in Malay,” he said.

Ismail said there are various ways students can show their patriotic spirit.

Most importantly, he said, they should be the bulwark in ensuring the relationship among the diverse Malaysian Family continues to be strong.

Ismail also said the students’ love for the country should always be nurtured through various platforms on nationalism.

“I believe the general studies subjects or MPU implemented in institutions of higher learning can strengthen the students’ appreciation for the ethics and civilisation of the multi-ethnic society in Malaysia,” he said.

Ismail said students need to work hard to equip themselves with knowledge and noble personality as proof that they are the inheritors of the nation’s independence.

He said in line with the theme of today’s programme, Mahasiswa Patriotik Keluarga Malaysia, students should create a momentum of patriotism as a bastion of the country’s sovereignty and dignity.

“Hold strongly to the five principles of Rukun Negara with a firm determination to remain united in diversity and never let outside elements interfere,” he said.

“Let’s join hands to realise a more glorious future for our beloved Malaysia and let’s make a sacred promise to ensure that the Jalur Gemilang always flies majestically.” – Bernama, September 15, 2022.