IPOH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has launched the Paduri Madani Scheme to create 29,000 women entrepreneurs from the lower-income group.
Introduced by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), the micro-financing scheme offers RM230mil to support women entrepreneurs in their ventures.
In his speech, Anwar said there were no major programmes specifically designed for women.
“For this programme, AIM has encouraged women to prove that they are responsible in repaying loans,” he said on Saturday (May 16).
Anwar said AIM’s achievements and benefits have been far better in terms of amount and interest, adding that the initiative should be explained both locally and internationally.
“We need to explain and showcase this at both the national and international levels, so developing countries can see how small amounts of capital can generate meaningful returns.
"I want AIM to become a well-known example and model not only in Malaysia but around the whole world for its role in helping to reduce hardcore poverty,” he said.
The scheme was announced during Budget 2026 and is open to Malaysian women aged 18 and above with a household monthly income not exceeding RM5,880 or a per capita income not exceeding RM1,470.
The scheme also accepts applicants who have been blacklisted or declared bankrupt.
