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SOCSO said 87.6% of workers continue to participate in the scheme, while 6,330 claims were received in its first three months, highlighting the risks of accidents outside working hours.
A total of 8.5mn workers (87.6%) of workers remain covered under Malaysia’s Non-Disaster Occupational Accident Scheme (LINDUNG 24/7), according to the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO).
The scheme provides social security protection for non-work-related accidents, including those that occur outside working hours.
Dato’ Sri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, Group Chief Executive Officer, SOCSO said LINDUNG 24/7, which was introduced on 1 June 2026, aims to extend protection to workers beyond the workplace and their working hours.
He noted that a formal sector worker in Malaysia spends about 33% of their time working in a year, including time spent travelling to and from work.
“This means that for the remaining 67% or approximately 244 days a year, they are not protected if an accident occurs outside of working hours, while during that period a person remains an employee with responsibilities for themselves and their family,” he said.
Lower-income workers among those opting out
Despite the high participation rate, 52% of workers earning below RM3,500 were identified as the largest group of workers who chose not to participate in LINDUNG 24/7.
Dr Mohammed Azman said this was a concern, particularly as the majority of workers in this group did not have insurance coverage, based on data reported by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
He said workers without coverage could face greater financial pressure if they were involved in an accident outside working hours.
BNM data from 2024 showed that 45.5% of Malaysians had life insurance, while participation among the B40 group was around 4%. Among workers who opted out of LINDUNG 24/7, 53% were from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya. This was followed by Johor at 11%, Penang at 9%, and other states at 27%.
Dr Mohammed Azman said these states have similarities in terms of high population density and more active economic activity, which could expose workers to a greater risk of accidents.
He stressed that social protection should follow workers, rather than workers having to adapt to protection that is limited to their workplace or working hours.
6,330 claims received in first three months
The first three months of LINDUNG 24/7 have also provided an indication of the demand for protection outside working hours.
From 1 June to 31 August 2026, SOCSO received 6,330 claims under the scheme, averaging around 69 cases a day.
Interest payments disbursed during the period reached RM9.97mn. These covered benefits including Temporary Disability Benefits, Permanent Disability Benefits, Medical Expense Reimbursement, Funeral Management Benefits, Dependent Benefits, as well as rehabilitation devices and implants.
Dr Mohammed Azman said short-term interest payments could develop into longer-term payments, with the total amount reaching more than 10 times the original payment. SOCSO recorded an average of three cases every hour during the period.
There were also cases involving workers who had opted out of LINDUNG 24/7 but later submitted claims after being involved in an accident outside working hours.
The cases underline the potential financial impact of accidents that occur outside the workplace, with thousands of workers requiring social protection support within the scheme’s first three months.
Workers can rejoin LINDUNG 24/7
Employees who previously opted out of LINDUNG 24/7 can rejoin the scheme online from 2 September 2026, with no time limit to resume contributions.
Employees who remain in the scheme will continue to receive protection as long as they meet the requirements under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4).
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Lead image / Dato’ Sri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed Facebook
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