KoSong: If you don't repay your PTPTN loan: harsh measures but actually very soft to some

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Saturday, June 04, 2016

If you don't repay your PTPTN loan: harsh measures but actually very soft to some

Have you been taking your PTPTN loan repayments too lightly? PTPTN Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mastura Mohd Khalid tells us what can happen if you don’t make prompt repayments and how to get help if you are having difficulties making them.

PTPTN requires about RM5 billion each year to provide educational funding to Malaysians. Yet as of Feb 29, 2016, PTPTN is due to collect RM15.8 billion. It has only received RM7.9 billion. This means there is still RM7.9 billion in arrears. “There are about 600,000 PTPTN borrowers who have yet to make their repayments,” says Mastura.

You have probably already read about steps taken by PTPTN, which could possibly lead to legal action taken against defaulters.

Your credit record will be affected

If you don’t make repayments for your PTPTN loan, you will be listed on CCRIS and this will reflect badly on your credit history. It will affect your ability to get loans from financing institutions. So until you make prompt repayments, you will have problems purchasing a car, house, or getting a credit card.

All defaulters have been listed on CCRIS beginning June 16, 2015. Mastura says there are 1.25 million borrowers listed on CCRIS. Following the listing, PTPTN has seen an increase of borrowers approaching it because they are unable to apply for other loans. She says: “CCRIS listing is a step we are taking to educate borrowers that PTPTN loan needs to be repaid. We want them to give priority to repaying their PTPTN loan.”

You are barred from leaving the country

Get your PTPTN repayments in order or rethink your overseas travel plans. PTPTN loan defaulters are barred from leaving the country. PTPTN will inform the Immigration Department and you will then be blacklisted in its database.

You also cannot renew your passport or apply for a passport.

“Some people call us when they realise they cannot leave the country at the airport’s immigration counter. When we ask them to make some form of repayment, it then turns out many of them can afford to make a repayment on the spot,” Mastura says.

PTPTN borrowers are advised to check for any overdue amount and settle it or discuss with PTPTN at least seven days before their trip. To check if you are barred from leaving the country click here.

Legal action will be taken against you

Defaulters will first be issued with notices before legal action is taken. Mastura says PTPTN issues three notices and then a notice of demand before it proceeds to blacklist a PTPTN loan defaulter with immigration. If a loan defaulter does not approach PTPTN after receiving the notices and after being blacklisted, they will then be taken to court. A total of 115,279 PTPTN borrowers have received court summons with a total loan amount worth RM9.8 billion as of Feb 29.

How do I get help with my PTPTN loan repayments?

Ujrah

If your PTPTN loan is still under the conventional scheme, convert it to the Ujrah scheme. All loans which have been approved from December 2008 fall under the Ujrah scheme. But all loan applications which were approved prior to that date will still be under the conventional scheme. The conventional scheme has an interest rate of 3% reducing balance while the Ujrah scheme has fixed interest at 1%.

“If you are a good paymaster, you will save up to 49% on your loan repayments by converting from conventional to the Ujrah scheme”, says Mastura.

Salary deductions are not compulsory under the Ujrah scheme, but this option is encouraged by PTPTN.

Talk to PTPTN

“We are open for negotiation. If your financial commitments are too tight, you can restructure or reschedule your loan, we even accept repayments from as low as RM50 per month,” says Mastura.

PTPTN will also allow you to prolong your repayment tenure. Students, who have not been able to secure a job six months upon graduation, can then apply for an extension. PTPTN will cross check with KWSP and if you are really unemployed they will grant you an extension period of two years.

However, if you begin making loan repayments within six months after graduation, you will get to enjoy the interest-free period. The balance of your loan will then be charged 1% Ujrah instead of the total amount of your loan. So take advantage of the six months grace period to reduce the amount of your loan repayment which will later be charged 1% interest.

Mastura’s advice to PTPTN borrowers is to repay their loan as this will be for the benefit of the future generation. PTPTN has about 200,000 new borrowers every year and it needs the revolving fund for future generation’s education. “It could be your siblings or your children who will need the money,” Mastura adds.