UMiMAX Programme Lifts Those Who Fell, Turning Them into Pillars of Hope

Jakarta (ANTARA) — As dusk fell at Cut Meutia Mosque in Jakarta, rows of coffee and matcha cups were neatly arranged on a table. The call to prayer for iftar echoed, its sweetness enhanced by the aroma of refreshing drinks. Behind that simple table, it was not a professional barista serving, but ultra-micro entrepreneurs. They had once lost their jobs, had hit rock bottom, and now chose to rise again with Pertamina’s UMiMAX.

Ahmad Gojali (38) still vividly recalls the day he was made redundant as a sales representative. Afterwards, he tried to survive by working as a parking attendant. His income was around Rp1.5 million a month, just enough to eat on, but far from enough to secure a future for his two children.

“Life feels like you’re walking in circles. You want to start a business but have no capital, you want to work but nothing comes, it’s confusing what to do,” he said softly.

The opportunity came when he learned about Pertamina’s Ultra Micro Programme Aksi (UMiMAX). The UMiMAX programme provides business equipment and periodic coaching, targeted at laid-off workers and low-income communities to start ultra-micro businesses.

From the assistance and mentoring he received, Ahmad started a roaming coffee business. Slowly, customers began to recognise him. His income has now increased to around Rp3 million per month. He can pay his rent and meet his family’s needs more calmly.

“Alhamdulillah, what has changed isn’t just the income, but my self-confidence that is starting to rise to continue living,” he said.

Vice President Corporate Communications PT Pertamina (Persero), Muhammad Baron, said the UMiMAX programme, launched at the end of 2025, has provided support to 168 beneficiaries. “This programme was launched to support the Government’s poverty alleviation targets,” Baron said.

Baron added that the total grants disbursed reached more than Rp1.17 billion. UMiMAX entrepreneurs now have a combined turnover of over Rp1.15 billion and total profits exceeding Rp416 million. The average weekly profit margin of UMiMAX partners is 36.68 percent.

Specifically during Ramadan, with Pertamina’s support, UMiMAX partners produced and distributed more than 15,000 cups of coffee and free matcha as takjil for worshippers at Masjid Cut Meutia. For the partners, this moment feels different. A business born of economic desperation has become a means of sharing. They continue to run their businesses with programme support, while gaining economic strength, yet at the same time helping thousands of people break their fast.

“We have been in a position where we needed help. Now it feels wonderful to be able to share,” said one UMiMAX partner.

The “UMiMAX Heroes” community shows that with access and mentoring, a second chance can be realised, proving that they chose not to give up. Pertamina emphasises UMiMAX as a sustainable ultra-micro empowerment ecosystem, not merely a capital aid, but an endeavour to restore economic independence and the self-confidence of vulnerable communities.

Behind every cart back in operation, there is a family that has regained hope. And in every cup of coffee shared at sunset during Ramadan, there is a story of struggle, solidarity, and blessings growing together.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target and continues to push programmes that directly impact the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All these efforts align with Pertamina’s transformation towards governance, public service, business sustainability and the environment, applying ESG principles across Pertamina’s lines of business and operations, in coordination with https://www.danantaraindonesia.co.id/.