KUALA LUMPUR: The Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) has denied claims by a coalition of private training centres that it repeatedly halted funding for study loans and monthly living allowances.
PTPK, in a statement today, said that as of last August, the corporation had approved loans and maintained active financing commitments totalling RM524 million, covering 52,098 students across 306 training centres.
It added that a total of 21,947 students had their loans approved this year alone.
“All students who have been approved for loans continue to receive financing and living allowances as usual. In fact, the cost of living allowance has been increased from RM400 to RM800 per student.
“In this regard, the allegations made by the concerned party are completely unfounded. No student who has been approved for a loan has had their financing stopped,” it said.
PTPK also reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that young Malaysians have access to relevant skills training, citing the approval of loans totalling RM4.76 billion for 306,600 borrowers since the corporation’s establishment in 2001.
It added that future fund distribution will be guided by several key priorities, including giving precedence to high-impact programmes, considering the track record of loan repayment, ensuring compliance with application conditions (including appeals), and supporting job placement upon completion of training.
“With a new approach based on performance-based budgeting and the principle of value for money, PTPK is confident that the effectiveness and sustainability of the funds will be maintained, thereby enabling students to pursue higher-quality courses, achieve better qualifications, and secure a brighter future,” it said.– BERNAMA
