PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam: Contributions Now Voluntary for Malaysian Workers (2026 Update)

The Malaysian government has announced a major update to the PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam scheme.

Following feedback from employees and the public, the Cabinet has decided that contributions to PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam, also known as the Non-Employment Injury Scheme, are no longer mandatory for Malaysian workers. Participation is now voluntary with immediate effect.

However, the rule is different for foreign workers. Contributions remain compulsory under existing legal requirements.

Here's everything employees and employers need to know.

PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam at a Glance

Question	Answer
Is PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam mandatory?	No, it is now voluntary for Malaysian workers.
Who is affected?	Malaysian employees and employers.
Are foreign workers included?	Yes. Contributions remain mandatory for foreign workers.
What does it cover?	Non-work-related accidents that occur outside working hours.
When did the change take effect?	Immediately following the Cabinet decision in July 2026.

What is PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam?

PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam is a social security scheme introduced by PERKESO to provide financial protection for employees who suffer accidents outside working hours and unrelated to their job.

Unlike the Employment Injury Scheme, which covers workplace accidents and commuting incidents, PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam extends protection to eligible accidents that happen during an employee's personal time.

The objective is to strengthen Malaysia's social security system by providing additional protection beyond the workplace.

What Has Changed?

Initially, all eligible employees were required to contribute to the scheme.

However, after receiving public feedback, the Cabinet decided to make participation voluntary for Malaysian workers instead of mandatory.

The decision took effect immediately.

Is PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam Still Mandatory?

The answer depends on the employee's status.

Employee Category	Contribution Requirement
Malaysian workers	Voluntary
Foreign workers	Mandatory

The government confirmed that existing legal provisions for foreign workers remain unchanged.

Why Did the Government Reverse the Decision?

The policy was revised after concerns were raised by employees regarding mandatory salary deductions.

Some workers questioned whether additional contributions were necessary, particularly if they already had:

Personal accident insurance
Medical insurance
Employer-provided insurance coverage

After considering public feedback and stakeholder views, the Cabinet decided that Malaysian workers should have the option to choose whether to participate.

What Does PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam Cover?

The scheme provides protection for eligible accidents that happen outside working hours and are unrelated to employment.

Depending on eligibility and claim approval, benefits may include:

24-hour accident protection
Medical treatment expenses
Temporary disablement benefits
Permanent disablement benefits (where applicable)
Other benefits provided under the scheme

All claims are subject to PERKESO's terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements.

Original Contribution Rates

Before the latest policy change, employee contributions were scheduled to increase in stages.

Implementation Period	Employee Contribution
First 2 years	0.75% of monthly wages
Next 3 years	1.00% of monthly wages
Sixth year onwards	1.25% of monthly wages

Since participation is now voluntary for Malaysian workers, these contribution rates only apply to employees who choose to participate, while mandatory requirements for foreign workers remain in force.

Has the Scheme Already Helped Employees?

Yes.

Within its first month of implementation, PERKESO reported:

More than 590 claims received
Over RM1.2 million in benefits paid
Around 20 new cases recorded each day

The figures indicate that employees have already benefited from coverage for eligible non-work-related accidents.

Should You Join PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam?

The decision depends on your personal financial situation and existing insurance coverage.

You may consider participating if you:

Want additional accident protection outside working hours
Frequently travel for personal activities
Do not have comprehensive personal accident insurance
Prefer additional social security coverage

If you already have extensive insurance coverage, compare the benefits before deciding whether to opt in.

Timeline of the Latest PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam Updates

Date	Update
June 2026	PERKESO introduced the Lindung 24 Jam scheme.
Early July 2026	Public concerns emerged regarding mandatory employee contributions.
8 July 2026	Cabinet announced that participation would become voluntary for Malaysian workers.
9 July 2026	The Human Resources Ministry confirmed that mandatory contributions remain in place for foreign workers.

FAQs

Is PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam compulsory?

No. As of July 2026, PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam is voluntary for Malaysian workers but remains mandatory for foreign workers.

What does PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam cover?

It covers eligible non-work-related accidents that happen outside working hours.

Does PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam cover workplace accidents?

No. Workplace accidents are covered under PERKESO's Employment Injury Scheme.

Who pays for PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam?

The employee pays the contribution.

Who needs to contribute to PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam?

Participation is voluntary for Malaysian workers but mandatory for foreign workers.

Is PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam worth joining?

It depends on your personal needs and existing insurance coverage.

Where can I get the latest PERKESO Lindung 24 Jam updates?

Visit the official PERKESO website or the Ministry of Human Resources for the latest updates.

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