GOVT AGENCIES UPLIFT THE POOR

Razak’s legacy, which includes Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, will be preserved, says Najib

MALAYSIA is among the countries that have succeeded in helping its poor, thanks to the establishment of government agencies and bodies such as Felda, Risda, Felcra, Mara and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Najib said these were his late father and former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s legacy.

He said his father had introduced the New Economic Policy, which charted the country’s economic direction and had a profound impact on the people, especially rural folk and the poor.

“This we cannot deny. The position of the poor in Malaysia, especially in rural areas, has improved due to Razak’s effort.

“As his son, I will surely continue the struggle started by my father until all his dreams become reality,” he said during a gathering of more than 2,500 people comprising AIM entrepreneurs, civil servants and the private sector at Dewan Konvensyen Sultan Ahmad Shah here yesterday.

He said the micro-financing scheme provided by AIM saved many from having to borrow money from loan sharks.

Thanks to the facility, he said, many poor people had gone on to become successful entrepreneurs.

Najib presented an agropreneur grant of RM411,000, and allocations for this year amounting to RM221 million and RM27.1 million for Pahang AIM and Pekan AIM respectively.

He also presented RM62,800 in corporate social responsibility contribution by AIM to help flood victims here.

Najib delivered more good news in announcing that the loan ceiling for two AIM schemes — ISejahtera and I-Wibawa — would be increased from RM10,000 and RM5,000 respectively to RM15,000.

This was made possible by a special allocation of RM100 million for this year.

AIM, a private trust that operated with funds from the state and federal governments, has been helping the people since 1957.

It provided micro-financing for poor households in Malaysia, ass i s t i n g s m a l l - s c a l e e ntrepreneurs, including women, to develop their businesses.

Being the largest and oldest micro-financing institution in Malaysia, AIM was registered as a non-governmental organisation under the Trustee Incorporation Act 1952 (Amendment 1981) (Act 258).

Its concept was similar to Grameen Bank, which was introduced in 1976 in the village of Jobra, Bangaladesh, with modifications to suit the local context.

As of February, AIM had provided financial services to 383,659 clients nationwide, with loans amounting to RM19.4 billion and a repayment rate of 98.08 per cent.

AIM also provided skills training and human capital development to upgrade entrepreneurs.

Present were AIM executive chairman Datuk Dr Zubir Harun and state assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Ishak Muhammad.

This we cannot deny, the position of the poor in Malaysia, especially in rural areas, has improved due to Tun Razak’s effort. DATUK SERI NAJIB RAZAK