PIKM urges government to settle unpaid dues to security companies

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to settle overdue payments to security companies amounting to hundreds of millions of ringgit.

Security Industry Association of Malaysia (PIKM) president Datuk Seri Ramli Yusuff said he also hoped the government would focus on the plight of security companies in Budget 2023.

"Security companies are facing a huge problem as they have not been paid for schools' security guard contracts since April. We hope the government will prioritise in dealing with such overdue payments," he said when contacted on Thursday (Oct 6).

Ramli also said 903 member companies in PIKM might not be able to survive if the overdue payments were not settled as soon as possible.

"On top of that, our members also owed about RM87mil in streamlined fees for 2016, 2018 and 2020, given the increase in minimum wage.

"Security companies are feeling the pressure of making ends meet given the financial constraints," he added.

Ramli said most of their members are retirees and veterans, making it difficult for them to acquire banking facilities.

"Most of us are also ex-policemen and ex-armed forces personnel. Given our contributions and sacrifices for the nation, we hope issues plaguing us would be addressed soonest.

"We are struggling to survive and need the government to assist us in overcoming these issues," he said.