malaysiangKOTA BHARU, Generally, borrowers or ‘Sahabat’ from Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) have successfully improved their living standards and managed to boost their income through the financial support provided by the national micro-credit organisation.
Motorcycle workshop owner Othman Yusof, 55, from Kampung Padang Raja, Melor, started his business about 20 years ago with a RM3,000 financing from AIM.
“After obtaining AIM financing at the Balqis Centre in Ketereh Branch, I used it to buy essential motorcycle replacement parts such as lubricant oil, tubes, tyres, and several motorcycle-related components.
“I ensured consistent weekly payments from my earnings and eventually increased my daily income to RM300,” he told Bernama today.
In Budget 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation of RM100 million to support AIM’s poverty eradication efforts due to its outstanding performance, with a remarkable non-performing loans (NPL) rate of 0.26 per cent in 2022.
Othman said on a weekly basis, he was required to make payments of RM45, which included the mandatory savings necessary for AIM financing.
“In my two decades as a ‘Sahabat’ of AIM, I once secured a RM19,000 loan to expand my motorcycle business, and the effort paid off since the services offered had high demand from customers.
“AIM has significantly improved our family’s quality of life, allowing us to renovate our home, buy a car, and support my wife Rosmika Abdullah’s ‘nasi berlauk’ business,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tuan Juwariah Tuan Ismail, 51, from Kampung Mahligai in Bachok, said she obtained a RM5,000 AIM financing four years ago.
The kuih seller, who is also Balqis Centre head, added that the loan allowed her to expand her business, resulting in a consistent daily increase in orders.
“I prepare seven varieties of kuih daily including lepat pisang, curry puff, cek mek molek, keria (sweet potato donuts), and pulut bakar, sent to coffee shops around Mahligai and Melor. AIM financing has been a tremendous help for my business.
“After the Budget 2024 announcement, I plan to get additional loan to improve my business,” she said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
