KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — Having to borrow money from friends was one of the bitter experiences that Achmad Noorasyrul Noortaip, 36, had to go through to become a successful entrepreneur.
The founder and managing director of Idolegacy Sdn Bhd, based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, can now be proud of himself when his company rolled out RideRunner, the first bike-hailing application in the state.
Recounting his experience of pursuing a Diploma in Tourism Management at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Samarahan, Sarawak, at the end of 2005, the Kota Kinabalu native said he and his family lived from hand to mouth.
Therefore, the recipient of the ‘Tokoh Peminjam Berinspirasi’ Award from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) was very grateful to PTPTN for providing loan assistance to him.
“Life was really hard for our family back then. When I got an offer to further my studies, I had to borrow money from my friends. Fortunately, PTPTN had a programme for new UiTM students, I decided to apply for a PTPTN loan and my application was approved.
“I am forever grateful to PTPTN for the loan given,” he told reporters at PTPTN’s 25th Silver Jubilee Celebration ceremony, here today.
Achmad Norasyrul, who received loan totalling RM15,000, however, said that he did not repay the loan immediately upon graduation in 2008.
“When the 20 per cent discount incentive was announced in 2015, I took the opportunity to make a full settlement of the loan,” he said.
Meanwhile, for the Keluarga Malaysia Award recipient, K. Tanaletchumy, 50, who is a housewife, she opened a National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) account with a minimum deposit of RM20 in 2005.
“In 2014, I used the money from the SSPN savings account as education funds for my daughter S.Sukanthi.
“I am very grateful to PTPTN because with the savings my daughter was able to further her studies and now she is following in my footsteps by opening SSPN savings accounts for her children’s education,” she said.
Sukanthi, 30, who currently serves as a doctor at a government clinic in Tanjung Malim, Perak, said that she opened SSPN savings accounts for her children K. Dharrsan, 2, and K. Jaanagan, five months, in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
“We have to choose the right place to save for our children’s education and PTPTN is the best platform that is trusted and guaranteed by the government,” she said.
The PTPTN’s 25th Silver Jubilee Celebration held at the MARTRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre, was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who also launched the PTPTN Education Savings Club.
Also present at the event were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Deputy Education Minister II Datuk Mohamad Alamin, Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, PTPTN chairman Apli Yusoff and PTPTN chief executive Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid.
