TheMole – DAP National deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw believes that the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) could be better managed to ensure greater efficiency.
“The management of the national fund must be improved, with the purpose to ensure there will be enough money to bear education fees for the new generation of students who are qualified to receive the aid.
“We (Pakatan Rakyat) maintain with our aim that there should be financial sources that are adequate to fund all people who are qualified, as long as, it (management) won’t be abused,” Dr Tan who is Kepong Member of parliament told The Mole.
Dr Tan also said the Opposition will announce plans to further enhance PTPTN in their election manifesto.
“It (better funding) is part of our campaign to improve the education, including higher education,” Dr Tan said.
Dr Tan was asked to comment on Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent statement about abolishing PTPTN.
Many, including fellow Opposition leaders from DAP and Pas, have voiced their reservations on Anwar’s statement.
PTPTN, which was introduced on 1997, has been widely recognised as an effective funding mechanism helping students of higher learning institution.
Dr Tan were among the MPs who debated and supported the formation of PTPTN when a Bill was tabled in Dewan Rakyat by the then Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
As reported earlier the Bill was supported by the Opposition at that time, including DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, and the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has also voiced his reservations about abolishing the PTPTN.
Hadi was reported as saying that the plan to abolish PTPTN will not resolve the problem of students who couldn’t afford higher education and that there was a need for a fair process that would not burden either students or communities.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ali Rustam has also said, that the national fund should be revamped.
He said, PTPTN should look into the possibility to set up offices at each state to ease the process in handling loan applications, repayment, complaints and enquiries.
“With offices in each state, borrowers would not have to go to the PTPTN headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to solve any loan-related matters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar has reiterated that the Opposition would abolish PTPTN if they win the next general election.
He also said that Petronas funds could be used to write off the RM43 billion loans owed to PTPTN since 1999.
