PTPTN extends aid to children of firemen who died in tragedy

PETALING JAYA: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) will be offering financial assistance to the children of six firemen, who drowned during a search and rescue mission in Puchong.

Its chairman Wan Saiful Wan Jan said they would be meeting the affected families to collect the particulars of their children to open National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) accounts for them.

“This is a small gesture on our part. We could not help them to ease their sadness but we could do something for the future of their children’s education,” he said after launching the SSPN Savings Week 2018 event yesterday.

Wan Saiful said they would determine the amount of assistance upon meeting the families.

Asked if aid would be given if the victim was still a bachelor, he said they would meet the next-of-kin first to find out the details and expressed hope Malaysians would contribute towards helping the children of the affected families.

Earlier in his speech, Wan Saiful said the sacrifice made by the six firemen was huge and that their families deserved assistance.

Separately, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik visited 17-year-old Muhammad Ilham Fahmy Mohammad Azzam’s family.

The teenager had fallen into the mining pool in Taman Putra Perdana, which led to the search and rescue mission that ended in the death of the six firemen, who were dragged down by strong currents.

Describing it as “a sad tragedy for the nation”, Dr Maszlee also extended his condolences to the Fire and Rescue Department, as well as to the deceased’s families.