PNM Mekaar Customers: Now Able to Eat Sufficiently
Sri Wahyuningsih, a mother of three from Lampung and PNM Mekaar customer, shared her transformation: “Previously, the children would share one egg among three of them. A child could not take exams because school fees had not been paid. Now we can send them to school and eat sufficiently,” she said.
Sri and Tati Mulyati recounted their stories during a discussion titled “Lantern of Empowerment, When Small Businesses Become Great Light” at PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Sri’s family life took a turn for the better when she received a business loan from PNM in 2022. She launched a basreng snack business with Rp3 million in capital from PNM. Gradually but steadily, her business grew. Today, Sri is not only a PNM customer but also the head of a PNM Mekaar business group, helping guide group members in developing their enterprises. Her success brought her to Jakarta with two of her children to share her story. “This is my first time flying and coming to Jakarta,” she said happily.
Economic hardship struck Tati, who had to live as a single parent to three children. The woman from North Sumedang in West Java eventually received an offer of Rp3 million in capital from PNM. Encouraged by her children, Tati established a general store. “At first, I used a table in front of my house, buying goods little by little. Then I started buying a small display case, increased stock, and thank goodness, now I have plenty of goods,” she explained.
As her store developed, PNM’s financing ceiling continued to increase, now reaching Rp12.5 million. “The first time, I was worried whether I could pay the instalments. But my motivation was to support my children,” Tati said. Like Sri, Tati is now the head of a PNM Mekaar business group. “Thank goodness, with PNM’s assistance I am where I am now and was even sent on a pilgrimage to Mecca,” she said, wiping away tears of emotion.
PNM Mekaar has served 22.9 million customers to date. As of yesterday, there are 16 million active customers spread across various regions throughout Indonesia.
Dodot Patria Ary, PNM Corporate Secretary, stated that the PNM Mekaar programme targets women from low-income families. “The character of Mekaar customers is that they struggle to eat daily or send their children to school. Their maximum loan ceiling is between Rp2-5 million,” said Dodot.
This does not mean that PNM customers have not entered the small or even medium enterprise class. Dodot cited the example of a customer in Bali who has managed to export fish scale leather. “Some have already obtained bank loans but still want to stay with PNM Mekaar, even though they only receive a Rp15 million ceiling,” Dodot explained.
Dodot assured that customers who have “moved up” to become bankable or able to obtain bank loans do not hinder PNM’s expansion of outreach, particularly in underdeveloped, frontier, and remote (3T) areas.
Unlike typical loan facilities, PNM does not impose late payment penalties and does not apply compound interest.
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