02-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
PTPTN dividend reflects strong governance
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Higher Education Fund Corp (PTPTN) has announced a 4.05 per cent dividend for its Simpan SSPN savings scheme for 2024 — the highest return in 10 years.
The dividend rate surpasses the 3.60 per cent distributed in 2023 and marks a milestone in PTPTN's track record of prudent financial management.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the increase reflected the efficient, strategic and high-integrity governance of the fund, delivering optimal returns to depositors.
He said that since its launch in 2004, PTPTN had grown into a crucial tool for Malaysians to financially plan for their children's future education.
Zambry highlighted the scheme's broader role in the national education landscape.
"For the past 28 years since its establishment, PTPTN has played a vital role in upholding higher education through the loan facilities provided to students at institutions of higher learning," he said.
The dividend announcement, he said, demonstrated PTPTN's unwavering commitment to managing education savings with long-term sustainability in mind.
He said effective risk management, along with strategic portfolio selections in long-term fixed deposits and sukuk (syariah-compliant bonds), had contributed significantly to the favourable results.
Zambry said the 4.05 per cent dividend represented a positive net investment return compared with Bank Negara Malaysia's Overnight Policy Rate (OPR), which was maintained at three per cent throughout 2024.
"This shows how PTPTN's investments outperformed market benchmarks while ensuring capital protection," he said.
Beyond dividend performance, Zambry highlighted the strong public confidence in Simpan SSPN, citing the wide range of benefits it offered.
"Most notably, it is the only savings product in the country offering tax relief of up to RM8,000 per year," he said.
Other key benefits include takaful protection for depositors, a matching grant of up to RM10,000 for eligible families, government-backed savings, and strict syariah compliance.
In terms of performance, PTPTN reported deposits totalling RM3.17 billion for Simpan SSPN in 2024 — an increase of RM24.37 million or 0.77 per cent from the previous year.
More than 500,000 new accounts were opened, and by Dec 31 last year, the total cumulative deposits reached RM20.56 billion across 6.77 million accounts.
"Over the past two decades, Simpan SSPN has recorded consistent positive performance and continued to gain public trust and confidence," said Dr Zambry.
To reward long-term savers, Zambry announced the Ganjaran Kesetiaan Simpan SSPN Prime Campaign.
"As a special gesture, a one per cent Loyalty Reward will be given in addition to the annual dividend to long-term Simpan SSPN Prime depositors," he said.
The campaign runs from May 1 to July 31, 2025, and applies to those who opened accounts between 2004 and Dec 31, 2021, with a minimum deposit of RM1,000 during the campaign period.
"Don't miss the opportunity to boost your savings and enjoy this additional reward," he said, calling the loyalty campaign a "win-win incentive" for long-term depositors.
Zambry hoped the competitive dividend would encourage more new depositors to save with Simpan SSPN and motivate existing ones to increase their savings.
He expressed optimism that Simpan SSPN would remain the top choice for Malaysians saving for children's higher education.
