Mohammed Azman: PERKESO has proposed the Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja (SKBBK) to extend protection to individuals affected by non-work-related accidents.
EVERY day, 18 Malaysians bid their final goodbyes to loved ones – lives cut short in accidents that, tragically, fall outside the protections of our current social security system. This is more than a statistic; it is a haunting reality.
Behind these numbers are grieving families, orphaned children, and shattered dreams. They are forced to navigate a harsh reality without the safety net of comprehensive social protection.
Despite the pressing need, the existing system primarily addresses workplace-related incidents, leaving countless victims and their families vulnerable to financial distress and limited recovery support.
Recognising this significant gap, PERKESO has proposed the Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja (SKBBK) to extend protection to individuals affected by non-work-related accidents.
As flexible working arrangements (FWA) gain traction, traditional boundaries of work-related risks have blurred.
Current frameworks only cover commuting accidents and those occurring in the workplace or during work-related activities. FWAs, however, introduce grey areas where workers face risks throughout their daily routines that fall outside conventional coverage.
SKBBK aims to address these challenges, ensuring workers are safeguarded from mishaps irrespective of where or how they perform their roles.
The numbers tell a chilling story. Statistics from the Transport Ministry reveal that between January and October last year, 532,125 accidents were reported nationwide, of which 5,364 were fatal. This translates to a staggering daily average of 1,745 accidents and 18 fatalities.
Yet, under PERKESO’s existing schemes, only 35,142 cases (6.6%), including 886 casualties (16.5%), qualified for compensation or rehabilitation support.
For the rest, there is no solace, no support – only despair. This is not just a gap; it is a chasm swallowing lives and futures whole.
This is a national crisis spiralling into catastrophe.
Each unprotected accident victim is a silent tragedy, and every life lost represents a preventable failure that haunts not only families but also the conscience of a nation.
The lack of action sends a harrowing message: we are willing to let workers and their families pay the ultimate price for neglect.Picture an employee injured in a car accident outside work hours or a family mourning the loss of their breadwinner in a road mishap.
For these individuals, SKBBK would provide critical financial relief: income replacement during recovery, access to rehabilitation services, and ongoing support for dependents.
Without it, they are left to face the financial abyss alone – a plight that could happen to any of us at any time. By addressing these gaps, SKBBK ensures that victims and their families can rebuild their lives without slipping into poverty or enduring prolonged economic hardship.
Moreover, SKBBK will act as a critical barrier, preventing families from falling into the cycle of poverty caused by unexpected accidents.
The implementation of SKBBK aligns with Malaysia’s vision of creating a resilient and inclusive social security system.
By shielding individuals from the devastating financial impact of accidents, this scheme not only mitigates personal and familial hardships but also contributes to national economic stability, reduces dependence on public welfare, and fosters workforce productivity.
But the clock is ticking, and the cost of inaction grows with every passing day. A pressing question remains unanswered: how much longer must grieving families and orphaned children endure financial despair caused by accidents outside work?
How many more lives must be lost, and how many more families must be shattered, before lawmakers act?
Each delay is not just a failure of policy but a collective moral failure. With every day that passes, we are complicit in the suffering of Malaysians who deserve better.
The time to pass this scheme is now. It is not merely a policy matter but a moral imperative.
To turn away from this issue is to betray the very fabric of a just and caring society.
We owe it to the people of Malaysia to act decisively and without hesitation, safeguarding the well-being of Malaysians today and for generations to come.
Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed
Group Chief Executive Officer
PERKESO
