PERKESO LINDUNG 24 JAM 2026: Voluntary Cover, Contributions & Exclusions

PERKESO LINDUNG 24 JAM, formally the Non-Employment Injury Scheme (SKBBK), extends social security protection to qualifying employees for accidents that are not directly related to their work. It took effect on 1 June 2026.

The crucial update: participation for Malaysian employees is now voluntary, while it remains mandatory for covered foreign workers. And despite the name, 24-hour protection does not mean every accident, illness or overseas event is covered.

How is LINDUNG 24 JAM different from ordinary SOCSO cover?

Malaysia's employment injury protection normally focuses on work-related incidents under its established rules. LINDUNG 24 JAM aims to address certain non-work-related accidental injuries that can happen during an eligible employee's personal time.

Coverage depends on eligibility, a valid participation record, the cause of the incident and PERKESO's assessment—not just what time it happened.

Who participates in 2026?

PERKESO's updated official explanation distinguishes these groups:

• Malaysian employees: Participation is voluntary; the contribution is borne by the employee.
• Covered foreign employees: Participation remains mandatory under the applicable legal rules.
• Employers: They still have an administrative role in submitting and paying applicable contributions on an employee's behalf.
• Self-employed people: Do not assume this employee scheme covers freelance or independent work. Different PERKESO schemes have their own rules.

Some older PERKESO materials described compulsory participation before the subsequent policy adjustment. Check the latest official page and actual participation records rather than relying on an early FAQ screenshot.

How much does LINDUNG 24 JAM cost?

PERKESO describes employee contributions in three phases:

These are the published phase rates. Actual monthly deductions should follow the official contribution schedule and applicable wage rules. Avoid calculating a supposedly precise deduction by multiplying everyone's take-home pay by 0.75%.

The employee bears the cost, while the employer carries out the relevant remittance process.

How do I opt in, opt out or check participation?

If you are a Malaysian employee, ask payroll or HR to confirm your current participation status, the relevant records and the latest PERKESO forms. PERKESO's scheme page links to Opt-Out to Opt-In participation-update forms and employer guidance.

Do not assume an existing SOCSO line on your payslip automatically proves LINDUNG 24 JAM cover. Equally, do not assume joining today would cover an accident that happened previously; verify the effective coverage date.

What benefits are available?

PERKESO lists benefits subject to scheme requirements, which can include:

• Medical treatment benefits through the relevant approved pathways.
• Temporary disablement benefits, subject to medically certified leave and qualifying conditions.
• Permanent disablement benefits, assessed under the prescribed medical and statutory processes.
• Rehabilitation and other eligible related benefits, including applicable support for dependants.

These are not unconditional cash payouts. Amounts, documentation and eligibility are determined under PERKESO's actual claim rules.

Example: an accident after work

Imagine an employee finishes work, arrives home, then goes out again on a personal errand and is involved in a road accident.

First, prioritise immediate safety and medical attention, and keep relevant medical and incident records.

Second, establish whether the journey was truly personal or linked to an employment duty or qualifying work journey. The distinction can affect which scheme should be considered.

Third, ask HR or PERKESO to check the employee's active participation, contribution history, accident date and eligibility.

Fourth, submit the required documentation through official channels and await a decision. Do not promise your family a fixed payout before an assessment.

JomGuide's perspective: Broader protection can be valuable, but "24 JAM" describes a scope of time, not a promise to approve every claim.

What is excluded?

PERKESO's current scheme page lists exclusions including:

• Accidents outside Malaysia.
• Conditions caused by illnesses, such as diabetes, fever or high blood pressure, which should not be mistaken for covered accidental injuries.
• Cases belonging to separate statutory coverage schemes for self-employed or domestic contexts.
• Specified immigration-pass violations affecting foreign workers.

PERKESO must still assess individual circumstances. This article explains public rules and is not a decision on a specific claim.

What employees, employers and families should do

Employees

• Ask HR: Am I enrolled in LINDUNG 24 JAM right now?
• Ask what your payslip deduction actually represents.
• Verify the effective date, contribution basis and claims contact.
• Keep essential details accessible to your family.

Employers and HR

• Distinguish voluntary local participation from mandatory foreign-worker participation.
• Communicate contribution costs and remittance responsibilities accurately.
• Use the latest PERKESO participation-update forms.
• Avoid telling staff that any off-duty incident is automatically covered.

Family members

Know which employer or HR contact can help verify the worker's scheme and records. After any incident, prioritise safety and necessary medical care, then verify claims through official channels rather than informal intermediaries.

Common questions

Does ordinary SOCSO deduction mean I automatically have 24-hour cover?

Not necessarily. Check your actual LINDUNG 24 JAM participation status and relevant contributions.

Could an accident on a weekend or personal errand be covered?

It is the kind of non-work context the scheme addresses, but eligibility, active coverage and exclusions still matter. Each claim is assessed.

Does this cover Grab riders and freelancers?

This guide concerns employees covered under the relevant employment framework. Independent workers need to check the separate PERKESO scheme that applies to them.

Where should I check or make a claim?

Start with PERKESO's official LINDUNG 24 JAM guide, which links to contribution tables, participation forms and claims resources. Employers can follow official ASSIST guidance.

The useful question is not simply "Am I protected 24 hours a day?" It is "Am I enrolled, what does my contribution cover, and which situations are excluded?"

Verified as of 20 October 2026. Sources: PERKESO scheme page, PERKESO FAQ PDF and July 2026 government implementation notice.