Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir announced that the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) collected RM197 million in loan repayments through debt negotiation agencies (APH) between July 2024 and May 2025. This figure represents a 6.4 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Currently, 103,418 borrower accounts with arrears exceeding RM3 billion have been referred to APH. Zambry clarified that only accounts with arrears surpassing 120 months and existing legal judgments are handed over to these agencies. He emphasized that APH serves as a targeted collection mechanism rather than a punitive measure. Furthermore, the Minister noted that borrowers facing financial hardship can still negotiate repayment plans with PTPTN legal officers, ensuring that solutions are tailored to their specific socio-economic situations and income levels.