Socso received 348 complaints of wage subsidy abuse

KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) has received a total of 348 complaints related to misuse and fraudulent claims of the wage subsidy scheme (PSU) fund under the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA) package.

Its chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said that of the total, 269 complaints had been resolved, with three complaints referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), while another 79 cases were still under investigation.

Regarding the arrest of two directors of private companies by the MACC in connection with false claims of PSU amounting to almost half a million ringgit yesterday, he said it was among the three complaints referred to the MACC for further action.

"As the investigation is still being carried out by the MACC on the individuals involved, any further statement will only be issued after the investigation is completed.

"Individuals from two companies in Segamat, Johor are suspected of having submitted fake documents for PSU applications under the PENJANA," he said in a statement here today.

Yesterday, the two suspects were detained at the Johor MACC Segamat branch office to assist in the investigation of false PSU claims involving a 39-year-old female company director who submitted a claim for 52 employees involving a wage subsidy payment of RM282,600.

Another suspect was a 64-year-old man, who submitted fraudulent claim of PSU for 38 employees, involving a payment of RM195,600.

He said that payments were made by Socso from May to October last year.

Meanwhile, he said that thus far, Socso had made payments amounting to RM13.5 billion to employers who were eligible to receive the assistance.

"Socso is committed to ensuring that the financial assistance provided by the government is channelled properly in accordance with the conditions that have been set.

Mohammed Azman said that Socso was constantly monitoring the applications submitted by employers and would not hesitate to report to the authorities if elements of fraud or abuse were detected.

He said that Socso once again reminded employers to be honest in submitting PSU applications.

Employers who failed to meet the stipulated conditions have been asked to return the PSU payment received.

He said that repayment can be made to MAYBANK account number 564427515459 (PERKESO SIP-Bayaran) with reference "PSU refund".

Employers need to fill in the PSU/ ERP assistance repayment agreement form and submit it to Socso together with proof of repayment via e-mail to sip.payment@perkeso.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA