COMMENT | The statistics are frightening. Consider these:

* As of the end of last year, the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) had approved 3,951,404 loans totalling RM71 billion.

* Over 2.7 million loans, amounting to RM32 billion, remain unpaid.

* About 420,000 borrowers have yet to make even one payment.

To add insult to injury, nearly half of the borrowers who have yet to make repayments are recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid.