A Malaysian netizen has ignited online discussion after posting on r/Bolehland about the staggering scale of student loans in the United States.
The Reddit post detailed the story of an American student who borrowed $28,000, yet after 16 years and $38,000 in payments, her outstanding balance had grown to $58,000, meaning she still owes $68,000 in interest.
In contrast, Malaysia’s PTPTN loans charge a flat 1% interest rate or a syariah-compliant ujrah fee to cover administrative costs, making them far more manageable.
“Malaysia’s PTPTN is great. I never applied for PTPTN, but many people around me have. USA student loan is crazy,” the Reddit user wrote.
The post quickly drew attention, with Malaysians praising the PTPTN system while reminding others to repay their loans responsibly.
One user, Necessary-Writing-42, commented:
“Any school leavers planning to go to uni and take PTPTN, please don’t take the assistance for granted. For those who have graduated, working or running a business, please pay it back.”
LoneWanzerPilot shared their experience:
“Yeah I am so glad for PTPTN. My parents couldn’t afford to fully pay for my education. I missed payments during Christmas and CNY, no harassment. I got a course that landed me a secure government job and paid it all back in 5 years.”
Meanwhile, Monsta_Owl reminded users of the moral responsibility of repayment:
“Yang tak bayar tu, remember this. You’re taking an opportunity given to you by someone before you. Pay up and be a decent human being.”
The post has since gone viral, sparking widespread debate among Malaysian netizens about the affordability of higher education in the US versus Malaysia, and the importance of responsible repayment of student loans.
