KUALA LUMPUR (July 8): In a swift policy reversal, the Cabinet has dropped the mandatory contribution requirement for the Social Security Organisation's (Socso) newly launched Lindung 24 Jam scheme, deciding that it be voluntary instead, with immediate effect.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was finalised during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim raised the feedback he received from the public regarding the plan's implementation.

Further details on the move will be announced by the Ministry of Human Resources, he said in a statement.

Introduced by Socso last month, Lindung 24 Jam, or the Non-Work-Related Accident Scheme, provides round-the-clock protection for eligible employees throughout their employment period, including coverage for accidents occurring outside working hours and unrelated to their job duties.

Benefits under the scheme include 24-hour accident coverage and medical treatment costs borne by Socso.

Under the scheme, contributions were to be fully borne by employees and implemented in stages, starting at 0.75% of wages for the first two years, rising to 1% for the following three years and 1.25% from the sixth year onwards.

On July 1, Bernama reported that Socso had disbursed more than RM1.2 million in benefits under the scheme within a month of its implementation, after receiving 592 claims. Of the total payouts, RM1.16 million was for implant costs, while temporary disablement benefits amounted to RM99,269.

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