Kuala Lumpur: The tabling of the Non-Employment Injury Scheme (SKBBK), or “Lindung 24/7”, with its first and second reading scheduled for tomorrow, is a game-changing step forward in strengthening Malaysia’s social protection framework, said Bandar Kuching MP and Political Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources, Dr. Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen.
“This scheme is designed to ensure that all Malaysian workers are protected 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including during non-working hours, public holidays, and daily travel.
“Until now, PERKESO has only covered accidents officially classified as work-related or occurring during working hours. This has left a significant gap in protection for our workers, even when fatigue from work contributes to accidents outside working hours. It is only equitable that they are properly covered at all times,” he said.
Dr. Yii highlighted that since 2018, 26,865 accident claims have been rejected because they occurred outside working hours, with 87% not being recognised as work-related accidents.
“This means that tens of thousands of workers and their families were left without protection simply because the accident happened when they were not officially on duty. With Lindung 24/7, protection now follows the worker, rather than just their working hours,” he said.
He cited examples from Sarawak to illustrate the gap: a 30-year-old production operator whose claim was rejected after fracturing his arm while fetching his wife from work; a business manager who died in an accident on his day off; and a 28-year-old technician denied compensation following an accident after overtime because the route taken was considered a “non-reasonable deviation.”
“Accidents do not wait for office hours. As long as a person is part of the workforce, their well-being and livelihood should be protected at all times,” he said.
Under Lindung 24/7, all active PERKESO contributors will be eligible for coverage beyond traditional work-related incidents, including death, permanent disability, temporary disability, and medical expenses arising from non-workplace accidents.
“Claims will be processed through PERKESO’s existing framework to ensure transparency and efficiency,” Dr. Yii added.
While contributions will increase slightly, Dr. Yii stressed that the small adjustment is minimal compared to the value of complete 24/7 protection.
“For just a little more, workers and their families can have peace of mind knowing they are protected, not only while on the clock but at all times.
“This is not just another policy. Lindung 24/7 is a new social right for Malaysian workers, reaffirming our nation’s commitment to fairness, dignity, and social justice,” Dr. Yii concluded.
