KUALA LUMPUR: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) established in 1987 to uplift households out of poverty by providing small loans to the rural poor in Malaysia, has so far assisted 742,000 families with a funding of RM25 billion.

Its managing director Mohamed Shamir Abdul Aziz said since its inception 32 years ago, AIM had committed to funding economic activities to help increase the income of the poor from various races, freeing them from the shackles of poverty.

“Up to August this year, RM1.6 billion were channelled to 340,000 AIM entrepreneurs,“ he said at the Semarak Merdeka AIM programme, yesterday.

AIM chairman Datuk Junaidah Kiting was also present to officiate the programme and flag off participants of the “AIM Merdeka Ride” convoy comprising AIM staff travelling in high powered motorcycles and cars.

Commenting on the programme, Mohamed Shamir said this is the first time that the AIM convoy is participating at the national level to enliven the national month while engaging with the less fortunate rural communities.

He said the convoy which took off from the AIM Tower in Bandar Sri Damansara, here, would travel to two AIM branches in Bentong and Temerloh, Pahang, to donate basic necessities to the poor.

Meanwhile, Junaidah said apart from helping the poor, AIM also played a role in fostering unity as each week AIM entrepreneurs of various races and ethnic groups are brought together to motivate one another to achieve their business goals. — Bernama