Workers who wish to opt out of SOCSO’s LINDUNG 24 Jam protection scheme will be able to do so online from Monday following a Cabinet decision to revise the policy.
SOCSO Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said the agency took note of the Cabinet’s decision to make LINDUNG 24 Jam optional for local workers, while keeping the coverage mandatory for foreign workers.
He encouraged local employees to continue contributing to the scheme, which provides income replacement benefits if they suffer accidents outside working hours.
“According to statistics, an average of around 27 cases per day were recorded by SOCSO for the disbursement of LINDUNG 24 Jam benefits amounting to almost RM2 million within one month since the scheme came into effect,” he said at a special press conference on Friday.
He said the figure was higher than the average of about 13 daily claims rejected by SOCSO in 2025 as they were classified as non-work-related accidents, reflecting the role of LINDUNG 24 Jam in supporting contributors and their dependants.
Dr Mohammed Azman said the policy change could affect the scheme’s fund sustainability and the effectiveness of benefit distribution in the long term.
He added that SOCSO would conduct a review of the LINDUNG 24 Jam implementation mechanism together with the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) by the end of the year.
Contributors who choose to opt out will be required to complete a liability release declaration, which will serve as a legal basis should future disputes arise, particularly involving accidents outside working hours.
“As LINDUNG 24 Jam is enforced under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4), contributors who wish to opt out of LINDUNG 24 Jam must sign a liability release declaration to be exempted from the application of this Act,” he said.
“This is to ensure there are no legal implications under Act 4 if an accident or injury occurs to contributors outside working hours,” he added.
SOCSO said it would continue providing clear information on the benefits of LINDUNG 24 Jam to help workers make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
