Latest news with #RM180
New Straits Times
2 days 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
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Pontianak-Kuching flights to resume Sept 12, boosting tourism and connectivity
Abdul Karim (centre) speaks to reporters. – Photo by Henrietta Liza KUCHING (July 25): The long-awaited resumption of the direct Pontianak-Kuching flight route is set for this Sept 12, a move expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity while boosting Sarawak's medical tourism and live entertainment sectors. Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, has confirmed that although the final official confirmation is pending, initial indications suggest the route will operate two flights daily. 'It's about RM180 for a one-way trip, if I'm not mistaken,' he told reporters at the launch of Air Supply's 50th anniversary concert, here today. Abdul Karim highlighted the strategic timing of the flight resumption, coinciding with the concert scheduled for Sept 24. 'The event is expected to attract a sizeable number of fans from Indonesia, particularly from Pontianak. 'There are a lot of rich people down there (in Pontianak). Every time we host a concert, many of them come by road. 'During last year's countdown event, the Tebedu CIQS (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex) was jammed for three hours,' he said. The minister also cited encouraging performance of the Jakarta-Kuching direct flight, which had maintained a passenger load factor consistently above 80 per cent, driven by demand from Indonesian travellers. According to Abdul Karim, the Singapore tourist arrivals are showing an upward trend, while Brunei remains a significant market for Sarawak's tourism industry. 'More than 100,000 Bruneians enter Sarawak every year, whether for entertainment, marathons, extreme sports, or 4×4 rallies. 'Brunei has always been a strong supporter of our tourism,' he said. Abdul Karim also reaffirmed Indonesia's position as the primary source of foreign medical tourists to Sarawak, especially from Pontianak and Jakarta. According to him, many of these patients travel overland for up to five hours, while others opt to fly via Jakarta before arriving in Kuching. 'With direct flights now available from both Pontianak and Jakarta, we anticipate a significant increase in medical tourist arrivals from Indonesia,' he said. Additionally, Abdul Karim hinted at the potential for a future direct flight route between Balikpapan and Kuching. 'Probably in the future, we never know – Balikpapan might be… (having direct flights from Balikpapan to Kuching),' he said with optimism. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah flights Kuching Pontianak
Malaysiakini
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
MACC to call up 20 more witnesses in RM180m data centre case
The MACC is expected to record statements from 20 witnesses to assist in the investigation into the corruption case involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender in Johor worth approximately RM180 million. MACC Investigation Division senior director Zainul Darus said that, so far, they have recorded statements from 12 individuals in connection with the investigation.
Malaysian Reserve
21-07-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
Data centre graft: MACC to call up 20 more witnesses
KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expected to record statements from 20 witnesses to assist in the investigation into the corruption case involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender in Johor worth approximately RM180 million. MACC Investigation Division senior director Datuk Zainul Darus said that, so far, they have recorded statements from 12 individuals in connection with the investigation. He said that the three suspects — the project manager of a construction company and two company directors — arrested by MACC are still under remand, while a woman suspect was released on Sunday (July 20) after her remand order ended. 'So far, there have been no new arrests in this case,' he replied briefly when contacted today. The media previously reported that a project manager of a prominent construction company who was detained for investigation into a corruption case involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender was willing to burn almost RM1 million in cash to destroy evidence after being shocked by the MACC raid through Op Ways on Thursday (July 17). According to sources, during the raid conducted at his home in Petaling Jaya, a team of officers found RM100 banknotes totalling almost RM1 million in flames. As a result of a thorough inspection of the home, the MACC also found cash totalling approximately RM7.5 million stored in several pillow boxes, three Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches, as well as jewellery such as rings and gold coins. On Friday (July 18), the media reported that a contract manager, his wife and two men in their 40s to 60s were arrested by the MACC Investigation Division around the Klang Valley, believed to be involved in corruption involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender in Johor worth approximately RM180 million. — BERNAMA
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
MACC probes RM180m data centre graft case, 20 more witnesses
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will call up 20 more witnesses as part of its probe into a corruption case linked to a RM180 million data centre construction project tender in Johor. MACC Investigation Division senior director Datuk Zainul Darus confirmed that statements from 12 individuals have already been recorded. Three suspects—a project manager and two company directors—remain under remand, while a female suspect was released after her remand order expired. 'So far, there have been no new arrests in this case,' Zainul said when contacted. Earlier reports revealed shocking details, including an attempt by one suspect to burn nearly RM1 million in cash during an MACC raid under Op Ways. Officers discovered the money in flames at a Petaling Jaya residence. Further searches uncovered RM7.5 million in cash hidden in pillow boxes, along with luxury watches and jewellery. The case involves a contract manager, his wife, and two others detained in the Klang Valley. - Bernama
