So, you’ve graduated. Congratulations are in order! You’ve traded lecture halls for office cubicles and are finally earning your own keep. But for many Malaysians, that first payslip comes with a familiar, slightly daunting reminder: your PTPTN loan repayment is about to begin. It’s easy to see this monthly deduction as just another bill. But …

That first real salary after graduation or a major promotion is an incredible milestone. After years of studying and hard work, seeing that significant amount hit your Maybank or CIMB account is a powerful feeling. It’s tempting to immediately reward yourself—that new smartphone, a nicer apartment in KL, or finally upgrading your Perodua. But before …