Kuala lumpur: A total of RM197 million in loan repayments for the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) was successfully collected through the services of debt negotiation agencies (APH) for the period from July 2025 to May this year. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir announced that this collection marks an increase of 6.4 percent compared to the same period last year, showcasing the effectiveness of APH's strategy in motivating borrowers to settle their loan obligations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, as of May, 103,418 borrower accounts, involving arrears surpassing RM3 billion, have been transferred to APH. Zambry clarified that only those borrowers with arrears exceeding 120 months or 10 years, and who have had a judgment recorded, are referred to APH. This step is taken subsequent to unsuccessful collection efforts by PTPTN itself.
Zambry emphasized, 'The appointment of APH is not intended to punish or pressure borrowers, but rather is one of the collection mechanisms used in a targeted manner against accounts that have very long arrears and have gone through the legal process.' He assured that the negotiation process remains open even after accounts are handed over to APH, stressing the organization's commitment to offering negotiation opportunities to borrowers.
This statement was made during a Special Chamber session at the Dewan Rakyat in response to a query from Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong). Lim had requested details on the guidelines, controls, and monitoring of debt negotiation agencies, as well as specific mechanisms for PTPTN borrowers wishing to repay loans according to their financial capabilities.
Further explaining, Zambry mentioned that borrowers experiencing financial hardships can appeal and discuss repayment options with PTPTN legal officers to reach a suitable arrangement based on their current financial capacity. PTPTN is committed to evaluating each legal case with fairness and care, considering the borrower's income level, financial obligations, and socio-economic conditions.
He reiterated that this approach aims to ensure that genuinely needy borrowers are not marginalized within the loan repayment framework, underscoring PTPTN's dedication to supporting borrowers facing financial challenges.