Four Families of Bentong Crash Victims Eligible for PERKESO LINDUNG 24 Jam Benefits

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — Four victims who lost their lives in the tragic road accident along Jalan Karak Lama, Bentong, on July 25 have been confirmed eligible to receive benefits under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) LINDUNG 24 Jam scheme, providing crucial financial assistance to their grieving families.

In an official statement released today, PERKESO confirmed that the four eligible contributors—V. Mugilan, A. Kanabati Raja, K. Alaganathan, and M. Parathanman, aged between 16 and 25—were active scheme members entitled to protection under the LINDUNG 24 Jam and Invalidity schemes under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4).

As part of the immediate assistance, the next of kin of each victim are eligible for a one-time Funeral Management Benefit amounting to RM3,000. Long-term monthly payouts have also been verified for the surviving dependents based on their respective contribution records.

“In addition, the late Mugilan’s dependents are entitled to the Invalidity Pension Benefit totalling RM562.50, distributed according to their respective shares. His wife will receive payment for life, while his two-year-old child will receive the benefit until the age of 21 or upon completion of a first degree,” PERKESO stated.

“The late Alaganathan’s next of kin are also eligible for the same benefit. His parents will receive RM564.36 for life, while his siblings will be paid until they reach the age of 21,” the statement added.

PERKESO further confirmed that the families of the late Kanabati Raja and Parathanman have been verified as eligible to receive the Dependents’ Benefit under the LINDUNG 24 Jam Non-Employment Injury Scheme.

“The parents of the late Kanabati Raja will receive the benefit for life, while his siblings, if they are under the age of 21, are also eligible to receive the benefit, amounting to RM1,647.”

“Similarly, the dependents of the late Parathanman are eligible for the benefit; his parents and siblings will receive a monthly Dependents’ Benefit of RM891,” the statement read.

When calculated across a long-term period of at least 30 years, PERKESO estimates the cumulative Dependents’ Benefit disbursed to the surviving families will exceed RM900,000.

Conversely, the organisation clarified that three other victims involved in the accident had no active contribution records, while another had no record of contribution at all, rendering them ineligible for statutory benefits under Act 4.

Addressing the broader importance of social safety nets, PERKESO noted that fatal accidents strip households of primary breadwinners and alter their long-term stability instantly, underscoring why round-the-clock coverage was created.

“Greater emphasis on this 24-hour protection scheme does not merely close the gaps in existing coverage; it also serves as a robust shield that safeguards the often turbulent journey of the contributors’ children and families, ensuring that their survival, education and dignity remain protected,” PERKESO highlighted.

“Social security indeed cannot erase the grief of losing a loved one, but it can at least ease the financial burden that families are forced to bear in the aftermath of such a tragedy,” the organisation stated.

PERKESO reminded all active employees and employers to ensure social security contributions are consistently kept up to date to guarantee full coverage, while also urging all road users to prioritize safety on the roads.

-NMT