KUALA TERENGGANU: Graft busters have uncovered irregularities involving the government’s Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, with false claims amounting to RM9.01mil.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman (pic) said investigations, with an operation expected to begin next week, found that 143 companies involving 320 workers nationwide were linked to the case.
The alleged misuse of government funds was linked to the Social Security Organisation’s (PERKESO) initiative in 2024 and 2025.
“Under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, the government provides employers with a wage incentive of RM1,500 a month for six months for each eligible worker hired, including persons with disabilities, former prisoners and senior citizens.
“However, based on our preliminary intelligence gathering, several issues have been identified in the implementation of the programme.
“Among them, we found individuals who were declared as employees but did not actually exist,” he told Bernama during a visit to the Terengganu MACC office here yesterday.
Abd Halim said investigators also detected cases involving workers who did not meet the minimum six-month employment requirement but received the full incentive payment, as well as the use of forged documents to obtain the payments.
He said the MACC had also identified another 1,638 companies suspected of engaging in similar activities involving about RM45mil, although those cases remain at a preliminary stage of investigation.
Abd Halim said the commission received good cooperation from the PERKESO headquarters throughout the investigation and will continue working closely with the agency’s state offices to facilitate operations, including the collection of information and evidence.
He also said that the MACC views seriously any elements of abuse or weaknesses in the management of government funds intended to benefit the public.
Abd Halim said the commission’s Governance Investigation Division would intensify efforts to assist government departments, agencies and companies in improving governance and strengthening procedures to prevent leakages and misuse of public funds.
“If there are weaknesses in the system or procedures, we will help identify them and recommend improvements to ensure government initiatives are implemented more effectively and reach the intended beneficiaries.
“The Daya Kerjaya 2.0 case is one example of how a government incentive introduced with good intentions to help the people and create employment opportunities can be abused by irresponsible parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued yesterday regarding the visit, Abd Halim said the Terengganu chapter of the agency reaching its targets was proof of its commitment in preserving integrity.
“This excellence must be maintained and continuously enhanced to ensure that anti-corruption initiatives and integrity empowerment can be implemented more effectively,” he said.
