A new mechanism for the repayment of National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loans is expected to take six months to prepare before it can be presented to the cabinet for approval, its chairperson Wan Saiful Wan Jan said today.

Wan Saiful said that PTPTN was actively holding meetings with various parties including community leaders, NGOs and other stakeholders to obtain relevant information and input before the draft was tabled.

This, he said, would avoid the implementation of the new method from creating a polemic, as well as being fair and taking into account the welfare of borrowers.

"The study for the implementation of the new scheme is underway and I have been to Kedah, Perlis, Perak and today here in Terengganu to meet all stakeholders at the grassroots level to gather information.

"We will listen to all the input and the improved aspects (of the refund scheme) that will be implemented will depend on the input we receive," he said during a press conference after a Bersatu programme to hand out schooling aid to 1,000 Terengganu school students at the Universiti Teknologi Mara Dungun campus here today.

Terengganu Bersatu chairperson Razali Idris was also present.

Wan Saiful assured that the views and suggestions from everyone would be considered and analysed to find the best mode for repayment.

"Before this, we had to send the suggestions on improvements (for the repayment scheme) within 100 days to chase the promise made in the manifesto, and due to the time constraints and shortcomings in the repayment scheme that was to be implemented on Dec 5, it was postponed by the government following protests from the people.

"So after this, we will make sure that all views will be taken into consideration before it is presented (to the cabinet)," he said.

- Bernama