Dewan Negara News In Brief: March 10

OVER TWO MILLION PTPTN BORROWERS HAVE STARTED REPAYING LOANS

KUALA LUMPUR -- A total of 2,448,105 borrowers, or 86.45 per cent of National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan recipients, have begun repaying their loans.

Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, said of this number, 1,044,595 borrowers have fully settled their loans.

"This includes 585,638 borrowers who are making regular repayments with no outstanding arrears, while 817,872 borrowers are making irregular payments and have arrears," he said.

Mustapha added that 383,637 borrowers, or 13.55 per cent, have never made any loan repayments and as of Dec 31 last year, PTPTN had approved loans for a total of 4,108,625 borrowers.

He was responding to a question from Senator Roderick Wong Siew Lead regarding the number of PTPTN borrowers with no arrears and those who still have outstanding repayments.

-- BERNAMA

PRIVATE COMPANIES, POLITICAL PARTIES CAN BENEFIT FROM SDG, ESG ACHIEVEMENTS – NANCY

KUALA LUMPUR -- Private companies can attract investors and gain incentives by demonstrating achievements in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, said  Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

"Political parties can also benefit by attracting greater support, particularly from the younger generation.

"If they can showcase their ESG commitments, such as providing opportunities and platforms for women, it could enhance their appeal," she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

Nancy was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Rosni Sohar, who asked how SDG and ESG targets are applied in efforts to empower women in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA