KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 73 individuals, including agents and company owners, were remanded over alleged fraudulent claims involving the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 employment incentive programme worth about RM9mil.
Sources said the suspects, comprising 48 men and 25 women aged between their 20s and 70s, were detained at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) offices nationwide, except in Perlis.
“Initial investigations revealed that the alleged offences were committed between 2024 and 2025.
“The suspects are believed to have submitted false claims involving government wage incentives amounting to RM1,500 per month for six months for each worker employed by private sector employers and government-linked companies (GLCs),” the source said yesterday.
The suspects were detained during a nationwide integrated operation conducted by the MACC on June 9 through its intelligence division, investigation division and state offices, in collaboration with the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).
“During the operation, raids were carried out at 90 locations involving company premises across the country.
“A total of 83 individuals were detained, comprising six agents and 77 company owners.
“Intelligence gathering efforts, which began in November last year, focused on 143 company premises nationwide linked to the suspected fraudulent claims,” the source added.
As part of the operation, the MACC also recorded 104 statements involving 32 suspects and 72 witnesses.
“In addition, 25 company bank accounts containing approximately RM390,000 have been frozen,” the source said.
When contacted, Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman confirmed the arrests and said the case was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, which relates to submitting false claims.
“Investigations were ongoing, and further developments would be announced from time to time,” he said.
On June 8, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the ministry fully supports the MACC ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities involving claims under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme.
He said the ministry remains committed to ensuring all government assistance programmes are administered with the highest standards of integrity, accountability and good governance.
Initially fraudulent claims under the programme incentive were successfully uncovered through continuous internal controls implemented by PERKESO since late 2024.
