I GRADUATED from University of Malaya in August with first class honours, majoring in Genetics and Molecular Biology, and am pursuing my Master of Science in Molecular Oncology in the same university. The completion of my undergraduate studies was made possible with the help of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), which provided me with full loans (RM3,500 a semester) for three years and for this I am indeed grateful.

When tabling Budget 2010, the prime minister proposed that PTPTN loans be converted to scholarships for students who obtain first class honours degree or equivalent, from next year.

I am happy for the younger generation as this would definitely entice them to strive harder for academic excellence. However, I cannot help but feel dejected and disappointed for myself and others who are excluded. To my knowledge, the conversion of the PTPTN loans to scholarships for outstanding students had been implemented before July 1, 2005. It is frustrating for many of us since then, especially for those who started their undergraduate studies in 2006 like me. I am not sure on the reasons behind the decision to discountinue the practice, but as the practice would now resume, is it really too much to ask for those students who are affected to be accorded the same recognition?

Previously, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that the proposal would be considered only when the financial situation of PTPTN is sustainable. In addition, PTPTN chief executive officer Yunos Abd Ghani also said that the corporation was unable to consider the requests as the amount would be too much to absorb.

I suspect that one reason for the PTPTN being unsustainable is the high number of loan defaulters. They include politicians, celebrities and other A-listers. Why are no further concrete efforts being made to retrieve the money other than blacklisting some names (for example, taking court action against these defaulters)? More importantly, are we being made to pay for their faults?

I strongly feel that those who achieved first class honours this year should be entitled to the benefit of converting our loans to full scholarships as we worked hard for several years without expecting to be rewarded since the discontinuation of the practice. On behalf of those who are affected, I humbly ask the government to reconsider. We have been disappointed twice before. Hopefully we would not be disappointed yet again.

Eugene Phuah
Penang

Source: The Sun – October 29, 2009