Edit 1: Today seems to be the day for good vibes from the news channels (yes, I am ignoring the sandiwara that is the sodomy trial- we have more important issues like openly racist teachers being rewarded instead of punished to attend to).

I’m talking about the first voice of reason I’ve heard from the PAS camp that doesn’t support talks with Umno. I’ll admit I don’t really like the PAS Youth Wing; like most Youth wings they have a tendency to first shoot themselves in the foot and then eat it.

But here’s the bit of news that made me happy. I’m glad that for the first time, SOMEONE in PAS realises the need to consolidate their alliances rather than “uniting” with UMNO for “Malay” interests.

Edit 2: CIMB reports that they’re the first in Malaysia to push for the Eat and Bank concept. I’d like to say BOLLOCKS. RHB was the first to push for that concept. If you don’t believe me, just drop by the RHB Damansara Uptown branch. They launched that concept way back in 2002/2003, way back when Lim Kok Wing was still a college. I should know: Mom and I went for the opening when I was still at the Taman Mayang campus.

Shoddy reporting? I don’t know. The PR person should be held to blame though: You should know better than to let Sulaiman Mohd Tahir, your Consumer Sales and Distribution head to say such things.

Good news: The Government has announced that they will reduce the PTPTN (govt educational loan) to 1%.

Thank you. Full news article from the NST under the cut!

PUTRAJAYA: The new service fee for National Higher Education Corporation loans is now a flat rate of one per cent, down from three to five per cent In making the decision yesterday, the cabinet decided that effective June 1, the new rate would be extended to borrowers for all undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

They include all future and existing borrowers as well as those servicing their loans following the completion of their studies.

Students applying for loans before the new system is implemented will have their applications processed and approved according to existing rates and an adjustment will be made later when the new system is developed by December.

Previously, the administration fee for PTPTN undergraduate borrowers was three per cent while the charges for postgraduate study loans were fixed at five per cent.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the National Fatwa Council, which was consulted on the matter, was agreeable with the decision.

The matter was brought before the council to determine whether the fee was syariah-compliant.

In meeting syariah requirements, the fee must be entirely for service charges.

In line with the change, Khaled said new agreements would be issued to all borrowers by early next year. They will then have one month to complete the new agreement and return them to PTPTN.

“If a borrower fails to do this, he will continue to service his loan under the old rate.”