Perkeso benefits vital lifeline for MH370 families 12 years on
KOTA BARU: Twelve years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished, Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) benefits continue to provide financial stability to next-of-kin who lost their primary breadwinners.
Twelve years have passed since the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, during which time Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) benefits have served as a vital lifeline for the families who lost their primary breadwinners. The Dependants Benefit (FOT) under the Employment Injury Scheme of the Employees Social Security Act 1969 provides continuous financial security to the affected families, enabling them to cover basic household expenses and fund their dependants' tertiary education.
One such beneficiary, Nurlaila Ngah, 52, now raises her three school-going children alone following the disappearance of her husband, flight steward Wan Swaid Wan Ismail, on March 8, 2014. She expressed her gratitude for the Perkeso benefit, which has provided over RM2,500 monthly since 2014, helping her manage daily expenses. Her children, aged 20, 22, and 24, continue to receive monthly assistance while pursuing higher education, all under the conditions set by Perkeso.
Similarly, Norazlinda Ayub, 51, whose husband, missing flight steward Junaidi Mohd Kassim, passed away, receives a monthly benefit of over RM2,700. This payment aids in funding the education of her two children, aged 20 and 23. She works in the unit trust industry, where income depends entirely on her own efforts. Notably, her husband had been contributing to Perkeso since joining the airline in 1997, and she encouraged self-employed workers to join the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (Lindung Kendiri) as well.
According to Perkeso deputy chief executive (operations) Azirruan Arifin, 50,945 active dependants are currently receiving the FOT benefit under Act 4 as of August 31, 2026. Assistance under the scheme includes periodic benefit payments at a daily rate equivalent to 90% of the worker's assumed average daily wage, with a minimum of RM30 and a maximum of RM178.50 per day. Eligible dependent children can access education loans, and the scheme also provides a one-off funeral benefit of up to RM3,000.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
