FRESH graduates earning modest salaries will get some relief from their education loan commitments under measures announced in Budget 2027, with monthly PTPTN repayments set at a minimum of RM50 for those earning between RM2,501 and RM3,000.
Those earning below RM2,500 a month will not have to begin repayments until they reach the prescribed income threshold, Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said.
The repayment measures are expected to benefit more than 400,000 borrowers, many of whom are starting their careers while managing the cost of living.
Speaking in a recent interview with a local radio station, Adam Adli said the question of easing the repayment burden had been discussed for years.
The government is also extending assistance to students still in education, with food and transport costs among the areas being addressed.
Next year, the Dapur Siswa MADANI programme, which provides shared cooking facilities on campus, will be extended to polytechnics and teacher education institutes (IPGs).
The government has allocated RM20 million to supply the facilities with basic food items, including rice, cooking oil, eggs and sardines. Students will be able to prepare meals individually or in groups, with student associations and kitchen managers helping to coordinate their use.
For students who depend on public transport, the My50 pass will continue, while MyKomuter50 will provide another option for those using Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad commuter services.
The annual FlySiswa subsidy for eligible students travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah or Sarawak will also increase from RM400 to RM500 to help cover airfares for study-related journeys.
Adam Adli also pointed to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as an alternative for young people who prefer practical and technical work to conventional academic courses.
He said TVET graduates recorded employability rates of between 95% and 97% annually, with investment in high-technology industries creating demand for workers with specialised skills.
As an example, he cited a polytechnic diploma graduate in his 20s who was earning between RM6,000 and RM7,000 a month after about a year working in Johor’s data centre sector.
“Sometimes, all we need is a skill,” he said. – October 24, 2026