KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has made the Social Security Organisation's (PERKESO) Employment Injury Scheme for Non-Work Accidents (Lindung 24 Jam) voluntary for local employees, while maintaining mandatory coverage for foreign workers.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the Cabinet decided to make the scheme optional for Malaysian workers after taking public feedback into consideration, with the decision taking immediate effect.

“The Cabinet has decided that contributions to the Lindung 24 Jam scheme will no longer be mandatory for local employees but will instead be implemented on a voluntary basis with immediate effect after taking into account the views of the people,” he said in a statement on July 9.

Ramanan said PERKESO will announce the implementation mechanism and voluntary enrolment process for local employees in the near future.

However, he stressed that contributions to the Lindung 24 Jam scheme will remain mandatory for foreign workers and continue to be enforced under existing legal provisions.

Despite the policy change, Ramanan described the scheme as an important social protection measure that provides coverage for workers who suffer accidents outside working hours and away from the workplace while carrying out their daily activities.

He said protecting the welfare and social security of Malaysia's workforce remains PERKESO's highest priority as an agency under the Ministry of Human Resources.

The ministry will also review the implementation of the scheme by the end of the year, including its policy direction, effectiveness and long-term financial sustainability.

“If necessary, the findings of the review will be tabled in Parliament together with proposed amendments to the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4),” he said.

Ramanan added that PERKESO will continue strengthening public awareness of the importance of social security protection while providing clear and accurate information on the scheme's benefits to help workers make informed decisions.