With effect from 1 June 2026, Malaysia's social security organisation PERKESO extended a round-the-clock protection scheme for non-work-related accidents called Lindung 24 Jam (Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja / SKBBK). This scheme was created to close the protection gap amongst the Malaysian workforce, especially for lower-income workers with less capacity to self-insure through private personal accident insurance.  

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What does Lindung 24 Jam cover?  

Accidents covered under Lindung 24 Jam are those that do not arise out of employment, or are not directly related to the employee's employment. The accident must occur within Malaysia, outside working hours, including accidents during journeys unrelated to work. E.g. accidents at home, accidents during journeys unrelated to work, accidents during personal activities, and other accidents unrelated to employment.

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The benefits under Lindung 24 Jam:

• Temporary/permanent disablement benefit  
  
  • Temporary disablement benefit - paid for certified medical leave (minimum 4 days, including accident day), even if the employee still works and draws pay.
  • Permanent disablement benefit - paid based on Medical Board's disablement assessment, wage rate, and age.
• Medical benefit - Free medical treatment at PERKESO panel clinics or government clinics/hospitals until full recovery. Private/non-panel treatment is reimbursable at government-hospital rates.
• Constant-attendance allowance - RM500/month for employees with severe permanent disablement needing full-time care.
• Rehabilitation - Physiotherapy, prosthetics/orthotics, mobility aids, and vocational training/return-to-work courses, fully funded by PERKESO.
• Dependants' benefit - In the event of an employee’s death from a non-work accident, there shall be pay-out made to spouse, children, parents, etc.  
• Funeral benefit - RM3,000 to next of kin or whoever manages the funeral.
• Education benefit - Loan for a child dependant in the event of employee’s death or permanent disablement.

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Note: Accidents that are self-inflicted/criminal-related injuries, or fall under unpaid leave periods without contribution are not eligible for claim under Lindung 24 Jam.

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How much is the contribution?

The contribution rates to be borne by employees are below, implemented phase-by-phase. These rates will be capped at a wage ceiling of RM6,000.

• Phase 1: 0.75% of monthly wages (1 June 2026 - 31 May 2028)
• Phase 2: 1.0% of monthly wages (1 June 2028 - 31 May 2031)
• Phase 3: 1.25% of monthly wages (1 June 2031 onwards)

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Though Lindung 24 Jam was first launched as mandatory, the Cabinet made the protection participation voluntary on 8 July 2026. However, foreign employees' participation remains mandatory. An opt-out window runs from 13 July - 31 August 2026, after which non-responders are auto-enrolled. This mid-rollout policy reversal is the news employers need to notify staff, collect opt-out declarations, and adjust payroll before the deadline.

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Download the HR checklist below to ensure compliance before the 31 August 2026 deadline.

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HR Checklist: Lindung 24 Jam Compliance

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What does the Lindung 24 Jam HR checklist cover? In summary, the checklist covers the following:

• Who is automatically covered and who still needs action from HR
• What to communicate to employees, and by when
• How to handle employees juggling more than one employer
• Adjusting payroll correctly across different participation statuses
• The deadlines that carry real financial and legal consequences
• Protections HR must observe when an employee is on benefit
• What happens if a deduction gets missed, and how to stay covered

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Limitations of Lindung 24 Jam

Though it provides a good base floor for protection, Lindung 24 Jam has real limits.  

• Benefits are fixed and modest compared to actual income loss:  
  The RM500 constant-attendance allowance and RM3,000 funeral benefit rarely reflect a family’s real cost of losing an income earner or caring for someone with a serious disability.  

• Benefits covered are limited to personal accidents only:  
  The scheme doesn’t extend to illnesses, hospitalisation for non-accident-related conditions, or medical costs beyond PERKESO’s fixed rates and panel network.  

• Benefits covered are limited only to individuals:
  Lindung 24 Jam that only covers the employee means their spouse and children have no protection of their own under this scheme.  

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It is clear that Lindung 24 Jam cannot take the place of insurance for employees. In fact, through the above gaps, we see that Group Insurance complements Lindung 24 Jam. With insurance catered to organisation needs, you and your employees will be able to enjoy broader medical coverage, higher payouts, and the option to extend protection to dependents. This is sure to help HR professionals like yourself design a more robust and holistic benefits plan. If you’d like to review how your current Group Insurance plan stacks up against these gaps, get in touch with HealthMetrics for a complimentary consultation.

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Conclusion

Lindung 24 Jam is a meaningful means towards ensuring Malaysian employees are protected. But the back-to-back policy changes mean the burden of getting it right currently sits with HR. Between now and 31 August 2026, that means notifying staff, tracking opt-out declarations, and keeping payroll deductions accurate. Download our HR checklist to walk through each step before the window closes.

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Beyond compliance, getting ahead of the deadline is about making sure your employees truly understand the protection they're entitled to. The goal is to inform employees and provide them with the autonomy to make a carefully-weighed decision.

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Have questions about Group Insurance? Get in touch here.

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Disclaimer: The above information is sourced from the PERKESO website and official FAQ, and news outlets.

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