Late PTPTN, not so good CNY

First of all, I hope the beloved Prime Minister who has been graciously sending us Chinese New Year’s greeting through SMS and e-mail will seriously look into this matter.

I am third year Journalism student from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Kampar campus. The reason I write this letter is to express my distraught, sadness, and disappointment over the late loan by the government.

I am one of the recipients of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). Usually most of us in UTAR will get the loan a month after the new semester begins. Our semester began on 17^th January but until today, I haven’t got any cent from PTPTN. Same goes to other students from other courses.

This late payment of PTPTN loan seriously cost a lot of troubles to students from lower income families like me. It’s even more troublesome especially during this Chinese New Year festive season. I was not able to prepare much for Chinese New Year. I was left with no choice but to only bought a new pair of clothes and not even able to buy new undergarments.

Another major problem I’m facing now is the student bill is already out. I have to pay about RM6000 by this Friday, 11^th January. Failing to do so, I will be fined RM10 per week for late payment. How am I going to pay the bill if I’m penniless? To rub salt to the wound, I still owe months of hostel rentals. New semester means I have to buy new books too.

This Chinese New Year is definitely not a memorable as well when the southern states in Malaysia were having massive flood. The higher learning institution students in these states are in a very hard situation when their houses are ruined and for sure, they need a lot more money to repair their houses, get new furniture, buy new books and to start new living.

Since the Chinese New Year came earlier, PTPTN should be given earlier to avoid problems to the students. Why this problem occurred? Why the relevant authorities never take this into consideration? Is it the problem of public administration’s incompetency or the technical problem? Without PTPTN, how can we survive? I do not wish to eat bread and instant noodle everyday.

I plead to the PTPTN and Ministry of Higher Education to listen and act on my difficulty as soon as possible. Thank you and salam 1 Malaysia.

From Oh Chin Eng, a citizen who’s eligible to vote in the coming General Election.