RM100 MONTHLY PTPK PAYMENT?
We need the money to give loans to new students, says Kulasegaran
THE Human Resources Ministry proposed to set the instalment repayment of Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) loans at RM100 per month, said its minister M. Kulasegaran.
Kulasegaran said the proposal would address the issue of loan financing, adding that it would also give an opportunity for more students to pursue studies at accredited public and private Technical and Vocational Education and Training centres.
He said 120,000 borrowers, out of 400,000, were reluctant to repay their loans, which prevented the ministry from giving out financing.
“We understand their (borrowers’) situation. We will strictly enforce (this instalment repayment) to get back the money. Once we get the money, the government will not need to give us yearly contributions.
“I met (Prime Minister Tun) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) to come up with a letter for the students, stating that they have to pay RM100 a month until they have settled the loan,” he said after opening a hall at the Sri Ramar Thevalaya Paripalana Temple at the Royal Malaysian Navy Base here yesterday.
Kulasegaran said the repayment should be made after six months of graduation. But if borrowers had no income due to unemployment, they could appeal to put off payment.
“We understand their situation. Most are young people and come from poor families, so we allow flexibility if they are unemployed. They can go to the PTPK office and make a payment postponement.”
He said until the third quarter of this year, the ministry had given RM105 million to students.
He said the ministry was conducting a study, including investigating employers whether there was a violation of occupational safety, following the landslide in Bukit Kukus Twin Highway, Paya Terubung, Penang.
He said the ministry would investigate why the employers allowed workers to stay at the location of the incident, causing them to be buried alive.
“The Occupational Safety and Health Department and three officers of the Manpower Department are at the scene to conduct investigations.”
Four people were killed, while five are missing.