Kuala lumpur: The government is currently undertaking a detailed review of the criteria for the exemption of loan repayments under the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) for graduates who have achieved first-class degrees. This move aims to ensure that only students who truly meet the high standards of academic excellence benefit from the waiver.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir emphasized the necessity of re-evaluating the definition and standards pertaining to the first-class category. The review intends to promote fairness and transparency in the implementation of the policy. As part of this process, the exemption is temporarily on hold, allowing the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) time to reassess the terms and conditions to enhance the policy's fairness and transparency.
Dr Zambry assured that the review is not intended to deny students their rights but rather to ensure that only those who genuinely qualify under the first-class category receive the exemption. He highlighted that the reassessment will cover aspects related to quality, academic integrity, and the uniformity of terms across both public (IPTA) and private higher education institutions (IPTS), aiming to eliminate significant differences between universities and standardize the definition of first-class degrees.
He further noted that monitoring the policy is more straightforward for IPTAs as they are under the direct supervision of the government through the Ministry of Education. Dr Zambry confirmed that the policy will resume after the comprehensive review and evaluation process is completed next year.
In related developments, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced during the tabling of the 2026 Budget that the government has agreed to exempt PTPTN loan repayments for all students from low and middle-income families who achieve a First Class Honours Bachelor's Degree at IPTAs. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 6,000 borrowers, with an annual allocation of RM90 million.