KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry fully supports the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities involving claims under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 Programme.
Its minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the ministry remains committed to ensuring all government assistance programmes are administered with the highest standards of integrity, accountability and good governance.
He said the suspected irregularities were first detected through the Social Security Organisation's (PERKESO) own internal monitoring and anti-fraud mechanisms.
He said PERKESO's Anti-Fraud, Ethics and Integrity (AFEI) Division identified suspicious patterns and potential irregularities during internal data analysis conducted in late 2024.
"Following the initial detection, AFEI commenced intelligence gathering, surveillance and comprehensive investigations to verify the findings and determine the extent of the suspected abuse involving claims under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 Programme," he said in a statement on Monday (June 8).
Ramanan said investigations continued throughout 2025, during which evidence was gathered, records were scrutinised and the modus operandi of the suspected misconduct was established.
He said the findings and recommendations were subsequently presented to PERKESO Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, who directed that the matter be referred to MACC for further action.
PERKESO formally handed over the case to Perak MACC in August 2025 before the investigation was later escalated to MACC headquarters in Putrajaya as the case expanded.
Ramanan said PERKESO had worked closely with MACC throughout the investigation and provided full cooperation by furnishing all relevant documents, records and information required by the authorities.
He said the case demonstrated that PERKESO's governance, compliance and anti-fraud mechanisms were functioning effectively.
"The fact that the matter was initially detected through PERKESO's internal controls, thoroughly investigated by its AFEI Division and subsequently referred to MACC reflects the organisation's commitment to safeguarding public funds and ensuring that government assistance reaches its intended beneficiaries," he said.
Ramanan also commended the professionalism and diligence of the officers involved, particularly those from AFEI, for their efforts in detecting, investigating and reporting the suspected abuse.
He stressed that the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 Programme was introduced to create employment opportunities and support the livelihoods of Malaysians, including vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, former prisoners, senior citizens and other job seekers seeking to re-enter the workforce.
"Any abuse of government incentives intended to assist Malaysians is a serious matter that undermines public trust and deprives deserving beneficiaries of support intended for them," he said.
Ramanan said the ministry fully supported firm action against any individual or entity found to have misused public funds or submitted fraudulent claims.
He added that the ministry, through PERKESO, would continue strengthening governance frameworks, verification processes and monitoring mechanisms to prevent leakages and abuse in employment-related incentive programmes.
The ministry, he said, would also continue working closely with MACC and other enforcement agencies to ensure public funds are protected and government initiatives are implemented effectively, transparently and for the benefit of the rakyat.
