Kerajaan diseru pertimbang hapus hutang lapuk PTPTN peminjam tidak mampu

Kerajaan is urged to consider eliminating the struggling PTPTN loans of borrowers who are unable to repay, according to PKR Youth Leader Kamil Munim. Not all borrowers have equal economic capacity, and while many are successful with good income, some are still building their lives with modest earnings, and a few are struggling with poverty or economic conditions that prevent them from responsibly paying back the loan, he said while delivering his maiden address at the PKR National Congress in the International Trade Centre (MITC) in Melaka.

Munim clarified that this proposal does not mean the government should completely erase PTPTN debts without considering the country's financial situation. The proposal aims to identify borrowers who are still in a strong or poor financial category, based on clear criteria, taking into account income and fiscal capacity. The government should use data to differentiate between those who can pay and those who genuinely cannot, he emphasized.

Earlier, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the proposal to cancel PTPTN loans would be discussed with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) after the issue was raised by the PRN Johor campaign. Meanwhile, Munim proposed increasing the income ceiling for free education aid gradually based on the country's fiscal capacity and assessment of living costs.

He believes this approach allows more students from low-income and vulnerable families to benefit from education without the need for extensive subsidies that may not be as effective in terms of resource allocation. Meanwhile, the government should review the monthly BUDI95 Madani RON95 (BUDI95) limit and allow up to 350 liters for groups with higher mobility and operational needs.

The subsidy on BUDI95 should be returned to at least 300 liters per month if world oil prices stabilize, the fiscal situation strengthens, and the government has more room to maneuver. However, any additional mechanism for the 350 liters must be subject to data verification and clear criteria. The 300-liter monthly limit, introduced in September 2025, is set to be reduced to 200 liters in April 2026, in response to the sudden increase in state subsidy expenditure due to regional conflicts affecting global energy markets.

Munim understands these considerations, but a good foundation should also be flexible enough to adapt when circumstances change. He emphasized that this proposal is not an unlimited subsidy or a disregard for fiscal discipline; what is sought is a more responsive mechanism to the people's economic situation.