Latest news with #NationalHigherEducationFundCorporation
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
PD boy relieved to be finally recognised a Malaysian
PHIREN Singh can now focus on pursuing his tertiary education and his dream of becoming an engineer as he has finally earned the right to be called a Malaysian. The 17-year-old from Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, who excelled in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination, received his MyKad after many years of applying. Phiren was raised by his grandmother after his foreign mother returned to her home country when he was a child and his father's death in 2018. He is relieved that his ordeal of being stateless is finally over. 'I am happy beyond words that I have finally received my MyKad, but I wish my dad was here to see this. 'I know the hardship my dad and I endured when I was a stateless person. I can now better plan my future,' he said after collecting his identity card from the National Registration Department (NRD) in Putrajaya. Phiren (right) with Rajasekaran after collecting his MyKad from the NRD in Putrajaya. Phiren, who was not eligible for basic things like free school textbooks and other aid given to Malaysians, said he planned to apply for scholarships or even a loan from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation to pursue his tertiary education. 'My 91-year-old grandmother, who is a retired teacher, has been providing for me ever since and I cannot burden her anymore. 'I want a career in engineering or in the automobile field, and will now be able to do so at local institutions of higher learning,' said Phiren, who has an older stepbrother and a younger sister, both of whom are Malaysians. Phiren said he had encountered countless problems growing up as a stateless person, from access to government healthcare facilities and participating in sports activities at the national level, to opening a bank account. 'I played tennis but was unable to represent Negri Sembilan at the national schools championships or MSSM due to my status. That was really painful,' he said. He thanked Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for looking into cases like his which had dragged on for years. 'My appreciation also goes to Sri Tanjung assemblyman Dr G. Rajasekaran who has been instrumental in helping me in the application process,' Phiren added.
The Star
18-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Wife of fallen FRU officer says she forgives lorry driver
GOPENG: The wife of the late Kpl Amiruddin Zabri, one of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel who perished in an accident near Teluk Intan earlier this week, does not bear any grudges against the lorry driver involved in the incident. Norazian Mohd Joned, 38, said she does not blame the driver, believing that the incident was fated. "I forgive the lorry driver, as the incident might be 'asbab' (fated). "Maybe it was just the way it was meant to happen. It was merely the cause for his passing," said Norazian, with tears streaming down her cheeks. She said this during the visit by National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) chief operating officer Mastura Mohd Khalid as part of their Ziarah Kasih programme held at her home here on Saturday (May 18). During the 8.50am incident on May 13, a gravel-laden lorry had crashed into an FRU truck on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, which was on its way back to base in Sungai Senam in Ipoh. Kpl Amiruddin was among nine FRU members who were killed in the accident, while nine others were injured. Norazian, who works as an administrative assistant at the Kampar police station, said Kpl Amiruddin had once spoken about the honour of dying in service. "He once spoke about a case involving firemen who drowned while trying to save others. "He said the firemen died honourably and the entire country had prayed for them. Maybe he had a similar wish in his heart," she said, adding that it still felt surreal with her husband being no longer around. "There was also a case recently where a man died in front of a mosque right after Friday prayers and my husband said if God has determined your time, not even a minute will be delayed. "Everything else is just the means. Maybe this lorry was just the means for the nine of them to go, it was already fated," she added. Mastura said that the late Kpl Amiruddin was a Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) Prime depositor, having opened an account on May 7 this year. "He had sufficient savings to qualify for takaful benefits. "The family will receive RM1,000 in takaful protection and RM3,000 in death benefit, and in total RM4,000," she said. "Although no amount of money could replace a lost loved one, we hope this contribution and insurance benefit will help lessen the family's financial burden and support their children's educational future," she added.
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Wife of FRU man killed in tragedy doesn't blame tipper lorry driver
GOPENG: The wife of the late Corporal Amiruddin Zabri, one of the nine Federal Reserve Unit members who died in the accident on May 13, refuses to blame the tipper lorry driver involved in the crash. Norazian Mohd Joned, 38, said her husband's death in such a manner is seen as part of God's will, adding that her late husband had once expressed admiration for those whose deaths were widely prayed for by many. She said her husband had shown such sentiments following the tragic drowning of six firemen during a search and rescue (SAR) operation for a missing teenager in a mining pool in Puchong on Oct 3, 2018. "We don't blame the lorry driver… maybe that was the only way Allah chose to take him. It was already his destined time to go. "My late husband once said during the incident involving the drowned firefighters that we should be envious of them because their deaths were prayed for by so many people, even those who didn't know them. "Maybe he prayed for a death like that... he had said (the firemen) died a good death. So perhaps in his heart, he wished for something similar," she told reporters at Amiruddin's hometown in Kampung Sungai Itek today. She was met while receiving takaful protection and funeral benefits of RM4,000 under the SSPN Prime savings scheme, presented by National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) chief operating officer Mastura Mohd Khalid. The mother of three children aged 1 to 12 said she had "spoken" to her husband's body while accompanying it in the hearse from Teluk Intan to the FRU Troop 5 headquarters in Sungai Senam, Ipoh. "I told him during the journey from the Hilir Perak police headquarters to the FRU Headquarters in Sungai Senam... 'B' (my term for him), you once said you were envious of those six firemen, but now you've had a death that the whole of Malaysia is praying for. "He also once mentioned a senior citizen who died on the way back from Friday prayers in Kampar. He said when it's Allah's time, not even a minute will be delayed — everything else is just the means," she said. Norazian, who works as an administrative assistant at the Kampar police headquarters, also shared her late husband's wish to send their eldest son, Amirul Firdaus, 12, to a tahfiz school. "He said if possible, he wanted at least one of our children to memorise the Quran to help their parents enter paradise. So, God willing, I will try to fulfil that wish," she said. A photo of Amirul Firdaus leading his father's funeral prayer had previously gone viral. Norazian said that it was actually Amirul Firdaus' own wish to lead the prayer for his beloved father. "He (Amirul Firdaus) asked to lead the funeral prayer. He said that if possible, for the last time, he wanted to be the one to lead his father's prayer," Norazian said. Speaking about their youngest daughter, Amira Sofea, Norazian said the 1-year-old seems to wait each night for her father's embrace, and can only say "bah," referring to "abah" (father). It was reported on Tuesday that an FRU truck carrying 18 personnel from Troop 5 Sungai Senam collided with a gravel-laden lorry at about 8.50am. Eight died at the scene Eight died at the scene, and a ninth passed away while receiving treatment at Teluk Intan Hospital. Nine others were injured to varying degrees. The FRU vehicle was returning to Ipoh after completing duties for the Chitra Pournami festival when it was struck by the lorry.
The Star
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
HIGHEST IN A DECADE
PTPTN announces 4.05% Simpan SSPN dividend for 2024 THE National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) declared a 4.05% dividend for the National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) in 2024. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said this is the highest dividend in the last 10 years and a significant jump from 2023's dividend, which stood at 3.6%. 'I would like to congratulate PTPTN for its efforts undertaken under Simpan SSPN, to ensure that saving for our children's future education can be done effectively,' he said during his address at the ministry's headquarters in Putrajaya on Apr 30. 'Over the past 21 years, the organisation has ensured that Malaysian children entering higher education are able to pursue their studies without any serious obstacles or other factors preventing their entry into institutions of higher learning. 'It has also continuously worked to encourage more Malaysians to save for their children's future, so that they have the best opportunities to further their education.' Also in attendance during the announcement ceremony were Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim and chief executive Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid. During the announcement, Zambry added that the dividend will benefit 6.77 million depositors, involving a total allocation of RM439.87mil. This brings the total dividend payout since Simpan SSPN's inception in 2004 to RM2.12bil. He shared that interest and support from citizens are also on the rise, with over 500,000 new accounts opened just last year. Last year, Simpan SSPN received deposits amounting to RM3.17bil, an increase of RM24.37mil or 0.77%, compared to the RM3.15bil deposited in 2023. As of Dec 31, 2024, the total accumulated deposits received stood at RM20.56bil. He added that effective risk management, along with strategic portfolio selections in long-term fixed deposits and sukuk (Shariah-compliant bonds), had contributed significantly to the favourable results. 'This is a commendable achievement and a testament to the continued support of depositors, as well as PTPTN's efficiency in managing the savings fund effectively through integrity-driven and strategic governance to ensure optimal returns for depositors,' said Zambry. The 4.05% dividend also reflects a competitive and positive net investment return compared to the overnight policy rate (OPR) set by Bank Negara, which remained at 3.0% throughout 2024. Depositors can check their savings statements online via the myPTPTN app from May 2. Simpan SSPN Prime The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the Simpan SSPN Prime 2025 Loyalty Rewards campaign, which aims to disseminate various privileges and benefits to loyal depositors, including an additional 1% loyalty reward on top of the annual dividend. This savings scheme is specially curated for loyal and consistent depositors, rewarding them for their long-term savings. The loyalty reward will be given to depositors who save a minimum of RM1,000 during the promotional period, which runs till July 31. This is the sixth consecutive year the rewards campaign has been held since it was first introduced in 2019. It is open to depositors who opened their accounts from 2004 up to Dec 31, 2021. Apart from annual dividends, Simpan SSPN also offers various privileges and benefits, including individual income tax relief of up to RM8,000 per year, takaful protection for depositors, free matching grants of up to RM10,000, Shariah compliance and savings guaranteed by the government. Zambry added that the campaign also aims to encourage more Malaysians to actively save for their children's higher education from an early age. 'Under the Madani government, these schemes and policies will continue to be improved to ensure that opportunities for higher education are made available to Malaysian students in the best possible way,' he said. 'We hope more citizens will continue their efforts to save through Simpan SSPN, utilising the fund as a savings platform for their families' future.' For more information, visit
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Culinary grad laments low starting pay
AFTER working for a few years, one would expect to earn a substantial salary, especially considering the state of the economy in recent years. A woman raised this issue in a Threads post, questioning why she has been unable to secure a job offering a starting salary of RM3,000. Having worked for three years in the culinary industry since graduating — even holding a managerial position — she still struggles to find a job with the aforementioned basic pay. She added that she graduated with a first-class degree and had her student loan exempted by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). During her three-year stint and being a top performer in her university, the culinary arts graduate claimed she only managed to earn RM3,000 after including allowances and overtime payments. 'It's just that, even though I graduated three years ago, I'm still wondering if I'll ever land a job with a basic salary of RM3,000,' she said. The post sparked a wider discussion, with many pointing out that the country's starting salaries have remained stagnant for years, despite economic fluctuations and the increasing cost of living. 'I graduated in 2007 and my first salary was RM2,500. Now, nearly 20 years later, the starting salary remains the same. This is why there's a brain drain in Malaysia,' one user commented. 'RM3,000 is far too low for 2025. I was an average local graduate (CGPA 2.82) back in 2006 and received offers ranging from RM2,500 to RM3,000 per month from multiple companies. Back then, you could still get fried rice for RM3.00 and iced tea for RM0.80,' another user noted. Meanwhile, another commenter offered a different perspective regarding salaries in the culinary industry. They pointed out that it is common to start from the bottom as a novice chef, even with a degree, as the industry values hands-on experience.
