Kuala lumpur: Benefit claims under the Social Security Organisation's (PERKESO) LINDUNG 24 Jam Scheme more than tripled in July, rising to 2,135 cases from 616 in June.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, PERKESO stated that the increase demonstrated the need to extend workers' social protection beyond working hours. From July 1 to 31, more than 90 per cent of claims were approved within five days, with a total of RM3.45 million in benefits paid to 2,508 recipients. The payments covered medical reimbursements, temporary disability benefits, funeral expenses, dependants' benefits, rehabilitation equipment, implants, and other assistance. Rehabilitation equipment and implants accounted for the largest share, at more than RM2.5 million, which helped ease contributors' medical costs and enabled implant procedures to be carried out promptly.

PERKESO reported that more than RM800,000 was also paid in temporary disability benefits to replace lost income and support contributors and their families during medical leave. The LINDUNG 24 Jam Scheme came into effect on June 1, and cumulatively, PERKESO had received a total of 2,751 claims under the scheme, averaging 45 cases a day, with total benefit payments reaching RM4.69 million. However, this figure excludes more than RM2 million in long-term benefits paid to eligible family members.

PERKESO emphasized that the rise in claims highlighted the need for broader social protection, particularly financial assistance for workers involved in accidents outside working hours. Although the scheme remains voluntary for Malaysian workers, PERKESO urged contributors to maintain this basic protection amid a worrying rise in accidents outside the workplace. The LINDUNG 24 Jam Scheme, which provides round-the-clock social security coverage, was introduced to protect contributors and their families from shouldering the financial burden of accidents alone, while providing access to rehabilitation support to help them return to work.