Penang: The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) is confident of meeting its target of one million active contributors to the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) under the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) by the end of this year. Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong announced that more than 800,000 active contributors nationwide are currently covered under the scheme, which provides benefits in the event of unforeseen incidents.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sim expressed confidence in achieving the target of one million contributors due to ongoing efforts by SOCSO and strategic partners to raise awareness through nationwide campaigns. He made these remarks while speaking to reporters after inaugurating a SOCSO engagement session with non-Muslim house of worship workers in Penang.

Sim highlighted that many self-employed individuals, including hawkers, e-hailing drivers, farmers, fishermen, and operators of non-Muslim houses of worship, remain unaware of their eligibility for the scheme. He emphasized the importance of SKSPS for self-employed individuals in the B40 and M40 income groups, who often lack protection in the event of accidents or disability.

The minister noted that expanding awareness of the scheme is a key governmental agenda to ensure all Malaysians receive adequate protection, irrespective of their occupation. At the event, 200 individuals working at non-Muslim houses of worship in Penang received sponsored SKSPS contributions, part of an initiative to encourage wider community participation in the government-supported scheme.

Sim further explained that the scheme offers a range of benefits, including accident protection, medical assistance, rehabilitation treatment, compensation payments, and pensions for contributors and their dependents. He added that the Penang event is part of a broader nationwide roadshow and awareness campaign aimed at increasing participation in SOCSO’s self-employment scheme by year’s end.