Jakarta – The Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, met with more than 3,000 MSME actors who are customers of Permodalan Nasional Madani, fostering a prosperous family economy. (PNM Mekaar). On that occasion, Gibran also surprised everyone by buying out the snack products of Rachma Widarti, one of the PNM Mekaar customers.
Rachma was very happy that her small business received direct support from the second-highest official in the country. Rachma, who runs a snack business selling Corn Crackers and home catering, shared her extraordinary struggle.
Starting from the impact of the pandemic that caused the company she worked for to go bankrupt, she started a business from scratch with very limited capital. At the same time, he not only lost his job but also his rights as a worker, including six months’ unpaid wages.
“I started this catering and snack business from home because I had to survive after being fired without severance pay.” My initial capital was very small, only Rp150,000, which I got from selling a child’s bicycle. At that time, I felt downcast, but I had to fight for my family,” Rachma said with great enthusiasm.
Rachma then joined PNM Mekaar in 2021 and became part of the Mekaar Muara Mas group. Since joining, her business has started to grow rapidly. She received business fund disbursements in stages, starting with IDR 3 million in the first disbursement and now the ceiling has reached IDR 5 million.
“Thank God, since joining PNM Mekaar, my business has become more well-known. I am more confident in offering my products and expanding into a wider market. Now I can sell with a larger capital,” added Rachma.
Gibran’s Support
“I support the continuation of the PNM Mekaar program as a strategic effort to strengthen the MSME sector and create jobs. This aligns with one of President Prabowo’s Asta Cita missions regarding the improvement of quality jobs and the empowerment of entrepreneurship,” said Gibran on his Instagram account.
“One by one, I visited the MSME booths managed by the participants of the PNM Mekaar program, and those that were fortunate, I bought out. Their products are good and well-packaged.”
“I hope the PNM Mekaar program can continue to be an important part in encouraging MSMEs to grow, develop, and level up. Thus, this program directly contributes positively to job creation, reducing unemployment rates, and improving community welfare.”
Appreciation
Gibran’s decision to buy products from Rachma’s business has become a tangible symbol of how support for micro-enterprises can change lives. According to Rachma, this is a manifestation of the Vice President’s concern for MSME empowerment, especially for women entrepreneurs.
“I didn’t expect Mr. Gibran to come and immediately buy all the emping snacks I brought that day.” I asked him for a photo, and he agreed. I updated my status, and many people started asking about my products. “Thank you, Sir,” said Rachma.
The President Director of PNM, Arief Mulyadi, appreciated Rachma’s struggle. He believes that if mothers build the same spirit to rise from difficult conditions and run their businesses to the fullest, then ultra-micro enterprises can compete in a broader market.
“As long as Indonesia still has mothers who care for each other, diligently weaving their businesses, they can certainly help strengthen the economic position of this nation.” “That is where PNM also strives to support the entrepreneurial spirit of mothers by providing not only financial capital but also intellectual and social capital,” explained Arief, who accompanied Vice President Gibran in a dialogue with PNM Mekaar customers.
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