Another S'gor college risks PTPTN loan freeze?

There is a possibility that the National Higher Education Fund 's (PTPTN) loan freeze to Universiti Selangor (Unisel) students may be extended to another higher education institution under the Selangor government.

In PTPTN’s statement yesterday defending their decision to halt loans to Unisel, the body also mentioned another institution Selangor International Islamic University College (Kuis).

“We are of the view that the universities governed by Selangor, such as Unisel and Kuis should be prepared and committed to implement free education, and reject the PTPTN loan.

“We think that since Selangor government is committed to implementing free education, therefore its students do not need study loans anymore.

“After we noticed such a development, we decided to temporarily halt the loan to Unisel students,” read the statement reported by Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau today.

Umno MP for Kuala Krau Ismail Mohamed Said chairs PTPTN.

The statement explained that the freeze was implemented because Pakatan leaders and the Selangor government have been championing the idea of free education and supporting the call to abolish PTPTN.

Retaliation for Anwar’s call?

The statement also sniped at Anwar's call for students not to repay the loan, saying it will affect PTPTN operations and its ability to continuously provide loans to students in the future.

It said a final decision on the loan freeze to Unisel will be made once PTPTN is satisfied with the stance and assurance given by the university that its students would undertake to repay their loans.

“We need time to study the implications of students not repaying the loan... because it would definitely affect our ability to provide loans if the students refuse to repay,” it said.

Malaysiakini had reported that students enrolling at the Selangor government-owned university in April found that they could not apply for PTPTN loans due to a “temporary halt”.

Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin has confirmed that halt of loans is to challenge the Selangor government's ability to provide free tertiary education.

He told Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia that the loan freeze aims to provide an opportunity for the opposition to prove that they can provide free education in their state.

However, only new students are affected as PTPTN is still bound by its agreement with existing students

This morning PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli (left), who has been defending Pakatan's proposal to provide free tertiary education tweeted that the party is considering legal action against the loan freeze.

Meanwhile Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim explained that Pakatan’s plan to offer free education was contingent on it forming the next government so it could manage the nation’s budget properly.

The PTPTN issue gained prominence after 500 students marched through the streets of Kuala Lumpur demanding its abolition.

The rally ended with a group of students occupying Dataran Merdeka over the following weeks to press home the point.

The occupation has lasted over two months with a small group still camped out at the city square as of last weekend.

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