By Steward Mathias
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is committed to helping Sarawakian graduates who are having difficulty repaying loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
At the 2020 State Budget tabling yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced an allocation of RM30 mln to work out an appropriate mechanism to assist the graduates.
Three Sarawakians spoke to New Sarawak Tribune regarding the Chief Minister’s announcement.
Syahran Aiman, 22, said the move reflected the concern of the Sarawak government on the welfare of young Sarawakians, especially in the areas of social development and knowledge in which education was one of the priorities in the area.
“The difficulty in repaying PTPTN loans is due to the rising cost of living.
“There are also some students who are disappointed with the Pakatan Harapan government’s promise to abolish the PTPTN — worse, it is not included in the 2020 federal budget,” he added.
Meanwhile, MacJunior Maxwell opined that the amount allocated was too much.
“RM30 mln is too much to solve this problem. I think it (the allocation) can be used for other things like giving more scholarships to deserving students as well as upgrading and improving infrastructure facilities and utilities in the state,” said the 22-year-old.
For Saifuddin Lim, 22, the money could be used to help needy students.
“There are a lot of high-potential students coming from underprivileged groups, and they are having a hard time repaying the loan — RM30 mln is very helpful to them,” he said.
