Kuala lumpur: Although over 860,000 self-employed individuals contribute to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) under its Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (LINDUNG Kendiri), the arts sector still registers as the group with the lowest social security coverage, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, as of November, 860,016 self-employed individuals in sectors including food transport, food delivery, and traders, have registered with PERKESO, but only 9,660, or 1.12 percent, are from the arts sector. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong emphasized the need to redouble efforts and spread information about matching contribution allocations, especially among those in the arts sector, as they are exposed to unexpected work risks.

Sim made these remarks to reporters after attending the LINDUNG: Hati Nan Prihatin musicalisation programme, jointly organised by PERKESO, the Professional Film Workers Association of Malaysia (PROFIMA), and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP). The programme serves as a platform to raise public awareness about the importance of social security for self-employed individuals.

He highlighted that efforts to boost art sector involvement need to be intensified through matching contributions. The government has allocated subsidies of up to 70 percent for LINDUNG Kendiri contributions in Budget 2026, including non-compulsory sectors. PERKESO has already channelled benefits to 6,815 LINDUNG Kendiri contributors from January to October, with total payments exceeding RM25.9 million.

PERKESO is now focused on raising awareness and participation in the arts industry, which operates independently without permanent employers. This makes artists the group most exposed to the risk of losing their incomes due to injury, accidents, or the inability to work.