Uphold Fair And Equal Treatment Ptptn Exemptions Must Be Based On Academic Merit

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THE Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) must review and refine the current National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan exemption mechanism to uphold fairness and equal treatment.
First-class honours graduates from private higher education institutions deserve the same exemption benefits as those from public universities. Outstanding students should not face discrimination based on the type of institution they attend.
Education is the cornerstone of national development. Every policy must therefore reflect fairness, transparency, and consistency. Preferential treatment that favours one group of students over another undermines public trust and the principle of educational equity.
Whether a graduate comes from a public or private university, their achievements are earned through hard work and merit. Those who have obtained first-class honours degrees deserve equal recognition and benefits, including PTPTN loan exemptions.
Limiting this privilege to public university graduates would unfairly dismiss the efforts of excellent students in private institutions.
Many private university students do not come from wealthy families. A significant number are from middle- and lower-income backgrounds who, unable to secure a place in public universities due to limited quotas and intense competition, rely heavily on PTPTN loans or other financial aid to pursue their studies.
Excluding them from loan exemptions would be grossly unfair and contrary to the government’s stated commitment to equality and inclusiveness.
Private higher education institutions have long supported Malaysia’s education system by accommodating thousands of students, easing the burden on public universities, and contributing to human capital development.
All degree programmes offered by private institutions must be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), ensuring they meet national standards in curriculum, assessment, and quality.
Before a private university or college can offer a programme, it undergoes rigorous evaluation by both the MOHE and the MQA. Therefore, first-class honours degrees awarded by these accredited institutions must carry the same recognition as those from public universities.
To deny exemptions on grounds such as “inconsistent standards” would undermine the credibility of the MQA and reflect a lack of confidence in the Ministry’s own quality assurance system.
Education policy must not contradict itself, nor treat students differently simply because of where they study. The essence of education lies in fairness, merit, and encouragement and certainly not division or discrimination.
The government must implement a more inclusive and coherent system to ensure that every student who has proven their excellence through hard work receives the recognition and encouragement they rightly deserve. 
Saw Yee Fung is the MCA Youth secretary–general.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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