Umno wants special scheme for PTPTN borrowers

pic by BERNAMA

UMNO is urging the government to create a special scheme for National Higher Education Fund Corp (PTPTN) borrowers to reduce their burden of debt.

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the scheme will give hope and relief to those who have lost their jobs or have yet to find a job.

“Give a period for the borrowers to repay their loan, which can be extended by putting in place a scheme so that this loan can be absorbed in other loans like housing loans,” Ahmad Zahid said in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

He noted that the government has to bear the burden of RM56 billion channelled through PTPTN.

“Hopefully, under the new scheme, there will be parties willing to take over this loan, which can directly reduce the government’s burden on PTPTN.”

Meanwhile, he also urged the government to reduce toll charges by 30% and merge the toll highways to benefit consumers.

He said this will be more beneficial than extending the toll concession period, apart from reducing the burden on the government and concession companies.

Ahmad Zahid also wanted the government and industry players to merge and build more affordable homes to ensure that every family has a home under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

Separately, Malaysia’s unemployment rate inched up 4.8% to 778,200 in July 2021 compared to 4.7% or 768,700 in the second half of last year.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan said there was a rise of 9,500 jobless individuals as of July.

He noted in the Dewan Rakyat that the Human Resources Ministry (MoHR) is ensuring more employment opportunities are provided to reduce the unemployment rate.

“The government has set up a National Employment Council with the target of creating 500,000 job opportunities,” Saravanan said.

MoHR, through the Social Security Organisation (Socso), has also expanded employment allowances to non-Socso contributors, especially to fresh graduates, school leavers and informal sector workers.

“At least RM300 will be received when they register under the MyFutureJobs platform, while a RM300 million allocation incentives will benefit 65,000 workers and employers who offer short-term jobs registered with Sosco,” he added.

Meanwhile, Saravanan said RM18 billion was spent under the Wage Subsidy Programme (WSP) through Socso.

“WSP is one of the popular programmes among industry players and there was great demand from companies.

“The ministry has ensured sufficient allocation for the programme throughout the various lockdowns.”

He added that the WSP has saved about 2.9 million jobs and prevented over 300,000 firms from folding.