Amanah Ikhtiar Msia maintains focus on helping the poor
Published on: Friday, November 08, 2019
By: Jeremy S Zabala
PAPAR: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (Aim) will maintain its focus not only on assisting the poor in improving their livelihood but also ensuring that they are well versed in today’s industry so that they will not be left out of the development flow.
Aim Human Resource and Administrative Services Division Director Mohd Ramdani Kassim said the organisation, since its establishment in 1987, has always been keen on helping the less fortunate by guiding them to improve their income.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Instead of ‘spoon-feeding’ the poor, we give them loans as a stepping stone for their business or career advancement,” he said.
Ramdani said Aim’s micro financing project is not only used by the folks in a certain range of job or career opportunities but also for any industrial chances that are available in their respective areas or districts.
“Our main role is to help the poor to increase their income by providing micro financing to assist them in generating income from their projects and activities.
“This is open to any activities that can generate income, whether it’s agriculture, fishery or entrepreneurship.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We have been carrying out this programme every year to encourage our members as well as express our appreciation towards their efforts in helping themselves increase their own income,” he told Daily Express at the Sahabat Fiesta Aim, here, recently.
Also present were Papar MP Ahmad Hassan and Aim Sabah West Coast General Manager Norashifah Salleh.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ramdani also said Aim will continue to carry out its loan disbursement programme, especially with the increase in the number of members who require micro financing.
“In terms of our outreach programmes, there have been improvements where this year we have obtained more members. We targeted 960 members this year and have registered 732 up to September.
“In terms of loans, we have been increasing the disbursement by 10per cent annually. For the West Coast, we have targeted RM73 million and up to September this year, we have helped the members with up to RM53.02 million,” he added.
Ramdani said Aim has not only been able to spread throughout the peninsula but also set up branches in Sabah and Sarawak.
Aside from programmes and financial aid, he said the organisation has always worked closely with other relevant agencies in approaching the poor as well as carrying out programmes and events to guide and educate the members in their income-boosting mission.
“We have always encouraged collaboration with other agencies such as Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and Agriculture Department to enhance our outreach programmes.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
