KUALA LUMPUR: Contributors who do not wish to continue with the Social Security Organisation’s (PERKESO) Employment Injury Scheme for Non-Work Accident (Lindung 24 Jam) must complete a liability release form.
Its group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said this after the Cabinet decided not to make this scheme mandatory on Wednesday.
He said the form would be used as the legal basis if there were any disputes in the future, especially for cases involving accidents outside working hours.
“The form will be available online from Monday. Those who opt out for July can fill it in as there is still time,” he told a press conference yesterday.
He added that workers must inform their human resources department which handles contribution payments.
On the scheme, Mohammed Azman said PERKESO would review its implementation mechanism with the Human Resources Ministry by year-end to assess long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
He said the scheme is not intended to burden workers, but to provide income replacement and continued support for dependents in the event of accidents, disability or death outside the workplace.
He said the contribution rate of 0.75%, which he described as among the lowest in the world, should not be seen as a burden but as a safeguard for workers and their families.
As of July 9, the scheme had recorded 1,056 claims with an average of about 27 cases a day, and nearly RM2mil spent in direct payments, including hospital treatment, surgery implants and sickness benefits.
Mohammed Azman said 207,000 employers, 1.92 million local workers and 307,000 foreign workers had registered for the scheme, with total contributions received amounting to nearly RM58mil.
SME Association president Dr Chin Chee Seong welcomed the decision to make the scheme optional, saying this gives workers the flexibility to choose based on their own needs and financial priorities.
“This is a balanced and pragmatic move that preserves the objective of worker protection while recognising that not every worker has the same risk profile.
“For workers who already have other coverage or face lower exposure outside working hours, a voluntary approach is more appropriate,” he added.
He suggests PERKESO focus strongly on awareness and education programmes, saying that workers and MSME owner-operators should be given clear information on the benefits, scope of coverage and costs so that they can make informed decisions.
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said they are aware of the challenges faced by members with regard to the implementation of Lindung 24 Jam.
In response, it held an engagement session with PERKESO yesterday to seek clarification on the current situation and address members’ concerns.
“MEF will issue a circular in the very near future with regards to the position that should be adopted by our members going forward pertaining to the implementation of the scheme,” it said in a Facebook post.
