Towards improved governance: Azam (left) and Mohammed Azman holding up copies of the MOU at Menara Perkeso in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 37 people, including six doctors, who were detained in connection with a syndicate involved in making false claims to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) are expected to be prosecuted next month.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said 37 investigation papers (IP) were opened during the operation, codenamed Ops Tunjang, in Penang.
“Each individual detained has an IP opened and the IP has its own set of witnesses.
“For each IP, an investigator is assigned to complete the investigation.
“We expect the IPs to be completed by next month so that the suspects can be charged in court,” he told a press conference after attending the signing of a memorandum of understanding between MACC and Socso on improving governance here yesterday.
Also present were Socso group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed and MACC Governance Investigation Division director Datuk Mohd Zaki Hassan.
“While no new arrests have been made in the operation, we will continue to work with Socso to detect similar activities (in other states).
“Seven important operations were conducted with Socso in six states previously,” said Azam.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Azman said reshuffles and improvements had been made by Socso since 2002, including disability management and appeals.
“We are working closely with MACC to improve governance based on several cases that have been identified through the arrests of 37 individuals for making fraudulent claims against Socso.
“We will improve our standard operating procedure to thwart any opportunity for wrongdoing,” he said.
Mohammed Azman added that Socso would not compromise in taking action against anyone who abused the existing system by making false claims.
“We will ensure that any false claim will be investigated, not just in Penang but other states as well,” he said.
On Sept 4, Azam said losses from fraudulent claims had reached RM2.1mil.
On Sept 5, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said authorities put the brakes on claims coming from “highly suspicious” hospitals to stop false disability claims.
He said this was a temporary measure while MACC and Health Ministry carried out a probe into fraudulent Socso claims.
The minister did not reveal the locations of these hospitals, though he said the measure had been implemented since June.
On the overhaul of the claims process, Sim said the directive was issued to prevent false claims.
“A new standard operating procedure is being prepared and will be announced soon. We take all claims submitted to Socso seriously.
“We do not want to victimise contributors who are genuinely eligible and need the benefits in times of hardship,” he added.
