More than 100 suspects to be charged over alleged false Perkeso claims, says MACC

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has announced that over 100 individuals, predominantly company owners and agents, will face charges for allegedly submitting false claims under the Social Security Organisation's (Perkeso) Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme. This initiative provided employers with a monthly RM1,500 wage incentive for six months for each eligible worker, including those with disabilities, former prisoners, and senior citizens.

As of now, 29 suspects have been charged across several states, with 13 charges announced recently in Pahang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Perak, and another 16 charges made today in Perak, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Sabah, according to Berita Harian.

The MACC asserts that the number of individuals to be charged is substantial due to the nationwide scope of the investigations. The prosecution papers have been forwarded to deputy public prosecutors for their assessment, with a forthcoming decision on prosecution. The false claims are estimated to have resulted in a government loss of RM45 million.

In June, MACC's chief commissioner, Abd Halim Aman, disclosed that 1,638 companies were being probed for purportedly submitting false claims under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, entailing an estimated RM45 million in losses.

Investigators uncovered the misuse of individuals' personal data, including those belonging to people with disabilities, parolees, and senior citizens, to submit claims under the programme without their consent. Additionally, it was revealed that some workers received one-time payments ranging from RM50 to RM2,400, despite full incentive claims being filed in their names.

The MACC initiated 63 investigation papers and arrested 97 individuals, consisting of 11 agents and 86 company owners, by June 30. Of those apprehended, 77 have been remanded to aid the ongoing investigations.