SOCSO

Profile narrative

PERKESO, also known as the Social Security Organization of Malaysia, is a federal statutory body established under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969. It administers mandatory social security schemes that provide financial protection to employees in the private sector against work-related injuries, occupational diseases, invalidity, and death. The organization manages the Employment Injury Scheme, which covers accidents occurring during work including commuting incidents, the Invalidity Pension Scheme offering 24-hour protection against invalidity or death from any cause, and since 2018 the Employment Insurance System that provides retrenched workers with temporary income support, job search assistance, and training opportunities for up to six months. Its coverage extends to Malaysian citizens and permanent residents employed under a contract of service, with voluntary schemes available for self-employed individuals such as taxi drivers, gig workers, and small business owners.

Operating under the oversight of the Ministry of Human Resources, PERKESO maintains a nationwide network of state and branch offices that service a substantial portion of the Malaysian workforce and hundreds of thousands of employers. The organization collects contributions from both employers and employees, which are pooled into a fund invested to generate returns for benefit payments and long-term sustainability. Its regulatory role includes enforcing compliance with registration and contribution requirements through inspections and legal action, adjudicating claims, and disbursing benefits such as medical care, temporary and permanent disablement payments, survivors' pensions, and job search allowances. The scale of its operations positions it as a central pillar of Malaysia's social protection framework, with its investment portfolio managed in accordance with statutory guidelines to preserve fund adequacy.

As a government-owned statutory authority, PERKESO is governed by a tripartite board chaired by the Minister of Human Resources and comprising representatives from government agencies, employer associations, and trade unions, ensuring balanced stakeholder participation in policy decisions. In recent years the organization has expanded digital service delivery through an online portal and mobile application, allowing contributors to check contribution records, submit claims, and update personal particulars remotely. However, a cyberattack confirmed on 2 December 2023 compromised its systems and resulted in the leakage of personal data including names, identification numbers, salary details, and business information, prompting the organization to restore affected infrastructure and undertake a review of its cybersecurity posture while continuing its core mandate of social security administration.

Incidents

2 incidents linked to this organisation.