FAMOUS actress Rozita Che Wan, also known as Che Ta, has yet to settle her remaining outstanding debt amount with the People’s Trust Council (MARA) totalling RM443,392.
Following that, MARA chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki denied Che Ta’s previous claim that she had settled all of her business loan debts amounting to RM1 million from MARA.
Asyraf said that as of February 18, Che Ta had paid RM689,307.59 with approximately RM150,000 in cash payment at the MARA office while the remaining balance was done through online account transactions.
He said that the payments were made by the actress immediately just to postpone the execution of a court judgement taken by MARA for the court to auction off her assets which might then lead to bankruptcy.
Asyraf added that MARA had imposed a payment period until the end of March for her to comply with and repay the full outstanding amount, otherwise a firm action against Che Ta would be taken by the agency, just as it had also imposed the implication on other borrowers who failed to repay their loans, causing MARA to bear its non-performing loan (NPL) debts.
“Rozita must settle her outstanding balance fully before March 31 this year,” he said.
“So, the allegation that the actress has settled all her debts with MARA is not true.
“If calculated, Rozita’s remaining debt could support nearly 50 students studying at Poly-Tech MARA College (KPTM).
“I am firm and do not compromise with anyone including artistes or prominent people who owe MARA. They all have to repay their loans because it is the people’s money. These monies can be used to assist students and other entrepreneurs in need,” he said according to Berita Harian.
For the record, two weeks ago, Che Ta announced that she had settled all her outstanding debts with MARA
On December 10 last year, Che Ta’s residence in Kota Damansara was raided by MARA officers in the presence of a lawyer and a court representative following her failure to settle a loan of nearly RM1 million taken in 2017.
On February 19 this year, Asyraf revealed that the NPL borne by MARA had now reached 49.6 per cent, amounting to RM893 million.
In view of that, the agency will take strict actions including legal action against those who fail to repay their loan.
He stated that MARA would not compromise and refused to entertain any loan applicants who were sending letters using specific VIP names to avoid paying their business loans.
Meanwhile, Asyraf said that MARA’s firmness in demanding the repayment of its outstanding debts proved that it was serious in countering the negative public perception that loans taken from MARA did not have to be reimbursed.
