The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) announced on June 7 that it had uncovered RM9.01 million in false claims submitted under the government's Daya Kerjaya 2.0 wage incentive programme [1, 2, 3]. The irregularities involved 143 companies and 320 workers nationwide linked to fraudulent claims made to the Social Security Organisation (Socso/Perkeso) during 2024 and 2025 [1, 2, 4, 3].
Under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, the government provides employers with a wage incentive of RM1,500 per month for six months for each eligible worker hired. Eligible workers include persons with disabilities, former prisoners, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups [1, 2, 3]. MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman explained, "Among them, we found individuals who were declared as employees but did not actually exist," identifying ghost workers as part of the irregularities [1]. Additional abuses included workers who did not meet the minimum six-month employment but still received full payments, and forged documents being used to obtain funds [1, 2, 4, 3].
The irregularities were first detected in late 2024 by Perkeso's internal Anti-Fraud, Ethics and Integrity (AFEI) Division through data analysis [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. After intelligence gathering and surveillance throughout 2025, Perkeso formally handed the case to MACC's Perak office in August 2025. The investigation later escalated to MACC headquarters in Putrajaya as the scope expanded [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said, "The suspected irregularities were first detected through the Social Security Organisation’s internal monitoring and anti-fraud mechanisms" [5]. He added the programme was intended to support vulnerable groups and create employment opportunities [9].
MACC also revealed another 1,638 companies were suspected of similar abuses involving approximately RM45 million, though those cases remain in preliminary investigation stages [1, 2, 4, 3]. Perkeso CEO Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said, "Perkeso will not compromise with any case of fraud. With the technology we have at the Anti-Fraud, Ethics and Integrity (AFEI) Division, every claim will be monitored closely" [4].
In a related case, MACC completed an investigation into a high-profile misappropriation of public funds involving hundreds of millions of ringgit. One individual suspected of using shell companies to channel public funds for personal gain is expected to be charged soon [10, 11, 12]. MACC froze RM186.6 million in assets, including seven houses, four plots of land, 19 luxury vehicles, company premises, valuables, and 76 bank accounts worth RM158 million [10, 11, 12]. Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman described the modus operandi as setting up multiple companies and forging documents to violate procedures and divert funds for personal benefit [10].
MACC has recorded statements from 40 witnesses and identified two main suspects in the misappropriation case, with investigations currently focused on one individual [10, 11, 12]. The Human Resources Ministry and Perkeso have expressed full support for MACC’s investigations and remain committed to improving governance and monitoring [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. MACC said it will intensify efforts to help government agencies strengthen controls and prevent future misuse of public funds [1, 3].
