PTPTN: IT'S A DUTY TO REPAY LOANS – PAS

KUALA LUMPUR: Contrary to Parti Keadilan Rakyat which wants the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) to be abolished, Pas leaders yesterday said all Muslims who had borrowed should repay their loans as stipulated in Islam.

Pas Youth deputy head Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, who is the son of its spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, said this was according to syariah.

"These students must repay their loans as Islamic law carries a valid contract regarding debt repayment. Whoever borrows must return the money," he said.

Former Perak menteri besar and Pas central working committee member Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, in agreeing, said according to Islamic principles, those who had taken a loan should repay it, unless the loan was written off by the lender.

"People must honour agreements to repay their loans until the government decides to write them off," he said when met at the Parliament lobby.

However, Pas vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar, when asked about it, remained evasive saying that even rich students deserved education aid from zakat funds.

They were reacting to a statement on Monday by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin that students who wanted the PTPTN to be abolished should return their loans or refrain from taking them.

Read more: Pas: It's a duty to repay loans - Politics - New Straits Times