LINDUNG 24 Jam Mandatory Rule Scrapped for Locals

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Subscriptions to the Social Security Organisation’s (PERKESO) Non-Employment Injury Scheme (LINDUNG 24 Jam) will no longer be mandatory for local workers, shifting instead to a completely voluntary model with immediate effect.

The policy reversal does not apply to foreign workers, for whom contributions to the LINDUNG 24 Jam Scheme remain strictly compulsory under existing legal provisions, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan confirmed. He revealed that the Cabinet amended the statutory requirement after evaluating extensive public feedback regarding the initial rollout of the framework.

“Local workers may now choose whether to contribute to the LINDUNG 24 Jam Scheme based on their individual needs and circumstances. The implementation mechanism and the process for voluntary participation by local workers will be announced by PERKESO soon,” Ramanan stated today.

Despite dropping the strict legal mandate for local citizens, the Human Resources Minister maintained that the initiative serves as a crucial social security cushion, providing round-the-clock protection for workers who suffer accidents outside of standard operating hours or away from their workplaces.

Looking ahead, the Human Resources Ministry is scheduled to initiate a comprehensive audit of the scheme’s overarching operational framework by the end of this year. The year-end review will critically analyze long-term policy direction, funding sustainability, and delivery efficiency to protect public interests.

“If necessary, the outcome of the review will be tabled in Parliament under the proposed amendments to the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4),” Ramanan added.

In the interim, PERKESO has been directed to scale up grassroots public awareness campaigns to educate local communities on the long-term benefits of maintaining voluntary social safety nets.

-NMT