MACC, PERKESO Strengthen Ties To Combat False Claims

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) are strengthening their collaboration to combat false claims involving social protection funds.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the initiative focuses on improving standard operating procedures, application systems, and oversight to prevent irresponsible parties from manipulating funds under PERKESO programmes.

To achieve this, he stressed that discussions are essential to identify weaknesses that could open the door to manipulation by individuals or companies.

"The time has come for us to find solutions to improve the laws, regulations, and systems implemented by PERKESO to curb fund leakages," he said during a meeting at the organisation's headquarters today.

Ahmad Khusairi said that based on 2021 records, MACC, in collaboration with PERKESO, had initiated 182 investigations involving the arrest of 302 individuals.

Meanwhile, during 2022 and 2023, through Ops Hire 1 and Hire 2, a total of 120 investigation papers were opened nationwide, leading to the arrest of 155 individuals.

To date, 255 individuals have been brought to court for submitting false claims, which is an offence under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, Ahmad Khusairi said.

PERKESO chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammad said PERKESO values MACC's collaboration in probing false claims by companies, agents, and individuals, and has since set up a Special Fraud Investigation Unit to enhance its anti-fraud efforts. 

Moving forward, PERKESO will propose an integrated system to share data with other agencies, such as the National Registration Department, Companies Commission of Malaysia and Employees Provident Fund, to serve as a check-and-balance mechanism for every fund application.

-- BERNAMA