No plans yet to reinstate travel ban on PTPTN loan defaulters, Higher Education Ministry says
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud told the Dewan Rakyat that while the option is being considered, no decision has been made.
'This matter is still under consideration but for now, no decision has been made.
'We may review it, but at present there are still no plans to impose travel restrictions on borrowers,' he said during Question Time in Parliament.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who asked whether the government intended to reinstate the ban on hardcore defaulters — those who refuse to pay despite being financially able to.
The travel ban was abolished in 2018 after criticism that it unfairly punished borrowers, though concerns remain about repayment rates and PTPTN's long-term sustainability.
In March, Mustapha told the Dewan Negara that the government is considering reinstating the overseas travel ban.
However, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said his ministry is adopting a broader strategy to encourage repayment among borrowers, rather than relying solely on the travel ban.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
13 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
'Tan Sri Speaker, my husband is watching live' - Speaker draws laughter over sexy voice quip
KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul drew smiles and laughter in the Dewan Rakyat today when he asked Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to speak louder because her voice sounded sexy when it was too soft. This came after a request from Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau), who asked Johari to tell Fadhlina to speak closer to the microphone. "Speaker, please ask the minister to get closer to the mic," said Kamal during the ministry's winding-up session on the 13th Malaysia Plan. Kamal's request was granted by Johari, who also acknowledged that Fadhlina's voice was too soft. "Yes… minister, please bring the mic closer to your mouth, it's a bit hard to hear when it's far. It sounds sexy… a little closer please," Johari quipped. Johari's remark was met with a casual smile from Fadhlina, who replied, "Tan Sri Speaker, my husband is watching this live," before continuing her winding-up speech with the microphone closer to her mouth.
New Straits Times
42 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Saifuddin to seek clarification on mediation claim in cancer survivor's bullying case
KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has pledged to seek clarification from Johor police over the handling of a bullying case involving a 10-year-old cancer survivor in the state. Saifuddin was answering a question in today's Dewan Rakyat sitting by Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who raised concerns surrounding reports that police had initially attempted to mediate between the families involved rather than launching an immediate investigation. "If there are elements of improvement suggested, that while the police may have good intentions in being mediators but this isn't enough and that they must immediately take investigative action, I welcome it," he said. Saifuddin, however, said since amendments to the Penal Code came into force on July 11, police had opened several investigation papers into bullying cases. "This shows that when there is improvement to the law, it has allowed the police to act. Zara (Qairina Mahathir's) case, for example, (the accused) have been charged under the amended section, making it the first case where we have charged (someone under the amended law). "Whether (the amendments) have benefited or not, let the courts develop the law. Then, we will see from there," he said. On Aug 17, it was reported that a 10-year-old cancer survivor had suffered brain trauma and memory loss after allegedly being bullied twice this year. The boy, who has been fighting adenoid cystic carcinoma for the past two years, was allegedly attacked first by an 11-year-old boy at a religious school and later by a 10-year-old classmate at a primary school. Johor police chief Commissioner Ab Rahaman Arsad said they had recorded statements from seven people, including medical officers, schoolmates and family members.
New Straits Times
42 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia to blacklist love scammers from entering country
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will blacklist love scammers, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said this is in response to cases of scammers entering the country to defraud Malaysians. "If investigations uncover elements of fraud, for example, entering on social passes, ending in marriage and then engaging in criminal activities, which we can establish through legal and regulatory evidence, will we issue blacklists? Absolutely. "If there are specific cases, they can be escalated to us for further action," he said during his winding-up speech on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat. He was responding to Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas), who asked whether Malaysia would blacklist individuals reported to be involved in love scams. She noted that some complaints involved love scams that even led to marriage and upon investigation, these were not first or second marriages but sometimes, third or fourth. She added that most of the scammers involved were from Thailand, Indonesia and other countries. Saifuddin said as of July, 527 cases of love scam have been reported with losses totaling RM22.9 million. "Victims are lured with the pretext that someone is interested in forming a relationship, and unknowingly, they are asked to transfer money. "Victims are intelligent and educated. They are not lacking in knowledge or access to communication technology. "I urge everyone to remember that the simplest precaution is that if communication on social media ends with a request to share account numbers or transfer money, stop immediately," he said.
