PTPTN RECORDS RM24 BILLION IN SIMPAN SSPN DEPOSITS FROM 7.3 MILLION ACCOUNTS

DUNGUN, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- A total of RM24 billion in deposits from 7.314 million accounts under the Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional Scheme (Simpan SSPN) has been recorded as of February, according to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim said the achievement was the result of several campaigns carried out by the corporation last year, including the Bulan Menabung Simpan SSPN (BMS), held from September to November.

She said that the campaign saw Simpan SSPN deposits exceed 100 per cent of the initial target of RM220 million.

“This achievement also reflects growing awareness among Malaysians of the importance of saving for their children’s higher education,” she told a press conference during the Program Komuniti dan Penyampaian Sumbangan Akuan Simpan SSPN at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Besi near here today.

Also present were Universiti Malaysia Terengganu vice-chancellor Prof Ir Ts Dr Mohd Zamri Ibrahim and UMT Holdings Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Dr Din Adam.

At the programme, 200 students received contributions of RM50 each in Simpan SSPN Prime Accounts from PTPTN, amounting to a total of RM10,000.

Norliza said that this year, PTPTN would hold more programmes to encourage greater participation in SSPN, particularly among residents in the B40 group in rural areas and Felda settlements.

She said that, despite rural residents’ relatively high awareness of the importance of savings, further efforts were still needed to enhance it.

In this regard, Norliza said that PTPTN was exploring ways to help more rural residents open the Simpan SSPN accounts, including tapping into corporate social responsibility (CSR) and wakaf funds.

“It takes just RM20 per person to open a Simpan SSPN account. After that, even those with just RM30 a month can save that sum each month,” she said.

Meanwhile, Din said that UMT Holdings had contributed RM25 each in SSPN savings to the 200 students involved.

He said that UMT Holdings planned to help more students in Bukit Besi and other areas open SSPN accounts, motivating them to excel in their studies and pursue higher education successfully.

Din added that today’s the programme was in line with UMT Holdings’ commitment to supporting the development of education and community well-being sustainably.

-- BERNAMA