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New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
PTPTN offers repayment lifeline amid rising costs
KUALA LUMPUR: Faced with rising living costs and mounting financial commitments, many borrowers are finding relief through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan restructuring initiative. For financial officer Suhazlin Shahrul Anuar, 36, who took out an RM16,950 loan in 2007 when studying at Politeknik Johor Baru, restructuring her loan early last year was a turning point in managing her finances. "Previously, I was paying around RM180 a month. After I took a housing loan, I just couldn't keep up with the full amount." Her new repayment schedule, which runs from December 2024 to June 2032, has slashed her monthly commitment to RM95.36. "It helped me reorganise my budget. I no longer worry about falling behind or seeing my name listed in the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS)." Suhazlin said the restructuring allowed her to keep paying without defaulting, thanks to a direct debit arrangement she now uses. "It's not about avoiding responsibility. Restructuring made it manageable. I encourage other borrowers in similar situations to restructure too. It's better than ignoring the loan altogether." She views repaying the restructured loan as a social responsibility. "We've benefited from this fund. By paying it back, we're ensuring the next generation has the same opportunity to pursue their education." Her sentiments are echoed by Chong Suk Ting, 28, an environmental, health and safety engineer who restructured her PTPTN loan after taking part in her company's voluntary separation scheme (VSS). "I started my loan around 2021 when I was studying at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. After the VSS, I reviewed my financial position and realised I couldn't keep up with the previous payment amounts." Before restructuring her loan, Chong had struggled to make consistent payments. Some months I paid RM50, some months RM100. It was inconsistent, and it affected my CCRIS report." After consulting with PTPTN officers, she managed to restructure her loan to a level she could afford. "They were helpful and guided me through it. It's a relief to know what I need to pay each month, and I no longer feel overwhelmed by the debt." Like Suhazlin, Chong sees repayment not only as a financial obligation but a moral one. "If we don't repay now, we'll still have to do it later but maybe with consequences. More importantly, other students need this money to pursue their education. "Some people think they can ignore it, but it's better to face it head-on. PTPTN has made it easier. They understood our situation and gave us a second chance to do the right things." Both Suhazlin and Chong agree that PTPTN's initiative is timely and crucial in today's economic climate. "Not every loan agency offers this kind of flexibility. It shows that PTPTN cares more about helping us borrowers than punishing us for falling behind," Suhazlin said. PTPTN introduced its loan restructuring to help borrowers who are struggling with repayment due to financial hardship. Under the #BolehBincang initiative, borrowers can revise their repayment schedule based on current income and commitments, making it easier for them to make repayments consistently and manage their finances more effectively. To initiate loan restructuring discussions and access information, download the myPTPTN app. Borrowers can also explore PTPTN's restructuring options by contacting PTPTN Careline at 03-2193 3000 or via Live Chat on the PTPTN portal at
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Ex-Melaka Youth and Sports director charged with accepting RM4,000 bribe
JOHOR BARU: The former director of the Melaka Youth and Sports Department was charged in the Sessions Court here today with two counts of accepting bribes totalling RM4,000, allegedly committed two years ago. The accused, Khairul Adri Rosli, 51, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail. According to the charge sheet, Khairul Adri was accused of receiving RM4,000 from a representative of a repair contractor company, transferred through the company's account into the account of a woman with connections to his official duties. The money was allegedly linked to repair works involving the construction of a guardhouse at the Melaka Youth and Sports Complex, valued at RM49,950. The offences were allegedly committed at two different banks in Tampoi and Permas Jaya on Jan 6, 2023, and Feb 16, 2023. For this offence, he was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Siti Asmah Zainal Ariffin proposed bail of RM7,000 for both charges. Khairul Adri, who was represented by Nurashidah Md Razip, appealed for a lower amount, stating that his client is also facing five charges in the Melaka Sessions Court on June 17, for which bail was set at RM20,000, and he had also pleaded not guilty in those cases. However, Ahmad Kamal set bail at RM6,000 for both charges with one local surety. The court rejected the defence's request to apply the same bail granted in the Sessions Court and fixed Aug 29 for mention and document submission.
The Star
21-06-2025
- The Star
Kepong drug bust nets 70kg ganja, two in custody
KUALA LUMPUR: Two men were arrested while some 73.25kg of ganja were seized following a raid in Kepong here. Based on intelligence gathered, Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) personnel intercepted the suspects' vehicle in Jalan Baiduri and detained the two locals, aged 38 and 33, at about 1.25am on Tuesday. Bukit Aman NCID acting director Deputy Comm Mat Zani @Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the raiding team uncovered 70 compressed packages containing ganja, weighing 73.25kg, after a thorough search of the vehicle. 'We believe the street value of the seized drugs is RM227,063. It has the potential to feed the habit of 146,492 drug users if distributed,' he said in a statement yesterday. Initial investigations revealed that the ganja was smuggled from a neighbouring country through the Perlis border and was intended for distribution in the Klang Valley, he said. The suspects are believed to have acted as 'transporters' for the syndicate and have been active since early this year. 'Both suspects tested negative for drugs. However, background checks revealed extensive criminal records,' he added. DCP Mat Zani said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction. 'We have also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, seizing two pairs of gold earrings valued at RM1,950. 'This brings the total value of the seizure and confiscated items to RM229,013,' he said, adding that both suspects had been remanded for seven days. 'This successful operation highlights the commitment of the NCID in combating the country's number one enemy – drug abuse. 'We urge the public to relay any information regarding drug-related activities via the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222,' he added. Separately, four drug traffickers were arrested following raids in the Sepang district. Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Norhizam Bahaman said the suspects, three men and a woman, aged between 27 and 39, were detained on Wednesday. 'We seized various drugs worth RM36,500. 'All suspects were from the same village and they have been friends since they were little,' he told a press conference yesterday. 'We believe the suspects were transporters for the syndicate, which has been active since 2016. They were paid RM1,600 for each successful transport of drugs,' he said. ACP Norhizam said the group managed to evade the police previously as they used rented cars to deliver the contraband and stayed in different budget hotels while en route to their destinations. 'The male suspects tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine while the female suspect tested negative for drugs. 'Two of the suspects have criminal records,' he said.
The Sun
20-06-2025
- The Sun
Police seize 73kg ganja in Kepong raid
KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested two men and seized 70 compressed packages of ganja weighing more than 73 kilogrammes in a raid along Jalan Baiduri, Kepong, last Tuesday. Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) acting director DCP Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the duo, believed to have been active as drug transporters since early this year, were arrested at 1.25 am. He said initial investigations revealed that all the drugs, worth RM227,063, had been smuggled in from a neighbouring country through the Perlis border. 'The raid, conducted with the Perlis NCID, led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 38 and 33, and the seizure of a Perodua Aruz. 'Both suspects tested negative for drugs,' he said in a statement today. Mat Zani said checks revealed that the first suspect had 17 previous criminal records, while the second had four prior records, including drug-related offences. He said the case was being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and action had also been taken against the suspects under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988. He added that two pairs of gold earrings, estimated to be worth RM1,950, were also seized, bringing the total value of the confiscated items to RM229,013. Mat Zani said both suspects had been remanded for seven days to assist in the investigation, while the police were actively tracking down the remaining syndicate members still at large. He also urged members of the public to channel any information on drug-related activities via the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222.
The Sun
20-06-2025
- The Sun
Over 70kg of ganja seized in Kepong, two men detained
KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested two men and seized 70 compressed packages of ganja weighing more than 73 kilogrammes in a raid along Jalan Baiduri, Kepong, last Tuesday. Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) acting director DCP Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the duo, believed to have been active as drug transporters since early this year, were arrested at 1.25 am. He said initial investigations revealed that all the drugs, worth RM227,063, had been smuggled in from a neighbouring country through the Perlis border. 'The raid, conducted with the Perlis NCID, led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 38 and 33, and the seizure of a Perodua Aruz. 'Both suspects tested negative for drugs,' he said in a statement today. Mat Zani said checks revealed that the first suspect had 17 previous criminal records, while the second had four prior records, including drug-related offences. He said the case was being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and action had also been taken against the suspects under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988. He added that two pairs of gold earrings, estimated to be worth RM1,950, were also seized, bringing the total value of the confiscated items to RM229,013. Mat Zani said both suspects had been remanded for seven days to assist in the investigation, while the police were actively tracking down the remaining syndicate members still at large. He also urged members of the public to channel any information on drug-related activities via the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222.
