A new microfinancing scheme for women in the B40 income group is now open following the launch of the PADURI Madani Scheme under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) on 16 May 2026 in Ipoh.

The scheme targets 29,000 new women entrepreneurs and offers loans of up to RM30,000 with no guarantor or collateral required. It is open to Malaysians aged 18 and above with a monthly household income of no more than RM5,880, or RM1,470 per person if divided equally among household members. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who officiated the launch at Bandar Baru Multipurpose Hall in Tambun, pointed to AIM’s near-zero non-performing loan (NPL) rate in 2025, describing women borrowers as among the most disciplined in repaying their financing.

Business And Social Needs Come With Different Loan Ceilings

For business use, the economic category offers between RM3,000 and RM30,000 across three sub-schemes, namely i-Paduri Mesra, i-Paduri Srikandi, and i-Paduri Muda. The financing rate is 10% per annum with repayment terms of up to three years.

The social category is capped at RM15,000 and covers four sub-schemes, namely i-Paduri Wibawa, i-Paduri Sejahtera, i-Paduri Bestari, and i-Paduri Penyayang.

Bankrupt And Blacklisted Applicants Are Eligible

Applicants who have been blacklisted or declared bankrupt are still accepted under the scheme, and no guarantor or collateral is required.

AIM has identified seven target groups, covering Malay, Chinese, and Indian women, Bumiputera women from Sabah and Sarawak, Orang Asli, the Siamese community, and B40 women in both urban and rural areas.

Since its founding 39 years ago, AIM has disbursed RM39.1 billion to more than 1.18 million borrowers. Between January and April 2026, it disbursed RM1.07 billion to 131,105 borrowers.

Repayments Run Regardless Of How The Business Performs

If you meet the income threshold and are considering the business category, the 10% annual financing rate and the three-year maximum term are what determine your monthly commitment. Repayments begin on schedule whether or not the business is generating income yet. 

If you have been blacklisted or have gone through bankruptcy, the no-collateral and no-guarantor conditions remove a barrier that typically rules out formal bank financing.

Do note that AIM’s application process involves structured onboarding, including orientation sessions and short courses, before financing is approved. There is some lead time between applying and receiving funds.

AIM’s near-zero NPL rate in 2025 reflects how borrowers on similar schemes have historically managed repayments, and the onboarding process is part of that. If you have a business plan but no assets or credit history that a conventional lender would accept, this scheme is one of the few formal paths that will not close the door on that basis.

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Christina Chandra

Christina writes about personal finance with an eye for making the complicated feel straightforward. She is drawn to the everyday money decisions people face and genuinely enjoys finding the clearest way to explain them. Between articles, she is probably napping, on a hiking trail, or terrorising her sister’s cats.

About THE AUTHOR

Christina Chandra

Christina Chandra

Christina writes about personal finance with an eye for making the complicated feel straightforward. She is drawn to the everyday money decisions people face and genuinely enjoys finding the clearest way to explain them. Between articles, she is probably napping, on a hiking trail, or terrorising her sister's cats.

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