Steven Sim orders SOCSO to restructure claim SOP to prevent cartel fraud

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 – The Social Security Organization (Socso) has been ordered to change its operating procedures (SOPs) for accounting, including for permanent disability benefits (HUK), according to the Human Resource Minister said Steven Sim Chee Keong.

The directive, he said, follows allegations of false allegations by the cartel involving three doctors who allegedly worked at hospitals in Penang in recent years. He said all Socso benefit claims related to the hospital have been temporarily suspended.

“Socso, thanks to an internal investigation this year by the Anti-Fraud, Ethics and Integrity Unit (AFEI), discovered the existence of the cartel. “Socso has worked with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to carry out an anti-cartel operation, called Ops Tunjang since July 2,” he said during a special press conference today in Kuala Lumpur.

Sim said 32 people were arrested yesterday on suspicion of being involved in a fraud cartel, who lost more than RM2 million. He said that this work will continue in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in all countries to identify the existence of cartel in other hospitals.

“The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) and Socso are not compromising on this issue, they will use all their strength to fight these cartel activities. “The share of social security benefits should be transferred to the contributors and their eligible and deserving relatives,” he said.

Media said two doctors from a public hospital and a specialist from a private hospital in Penang were among the 32 people who were remanded in custody for two days starting today to assist in the investigation into Socso’s false allegations in – said the state.