SOCSO LINDUNG 24 Hours: What Does 24-Hour Protection Really Mean?

Written by: Izz Murtada

If you work in Malaysia, you have probably heard people talking about “Lindung 24 Jam” this year. Some call it a new tax. Some call it extra protection. So what is it really? Let’s break it down in simple words.

1. What Is LINDUNG 24 Hours?

Lindung 24 Jam, also known as Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja (SKBBK), is a new protection scheme by SOCSO (PERKESO). It came into force on 1 June 2026, through a change in the law called the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Act 2026.

In simple terms, this scheme protects workers from accidents that happen outside of work too, not just accidents that happen on the job or while travelling to work. That is why it is called “24 hours.” Coverage does not stop when your shift ends.

2. Why Was This New Protection Introduced?

Before this scheme, SOCSO mainly covered accidents that happened during work, or while going to and from work. If something happened to you on a Saturday, or while you were at home, or on holiday, SOCSO usually could not help.

This left a real gap. In fact, thousands of claims were turned down between 2023 and 2025 simply because the accident happened outside working hours. The government saw this problem and decided workers deserve protection around the clock, not only during office hours. That is the reason Lindung 24 Jam was created.

3. What Accidents Are Covered?

Under this scheme, you are protected for accidents that happen anywhere in Malaysia, even outside working hours. Some examples include:

• A fall or accident at home
• A road accident while travelling for personal reasons, like a weekend trip
• An accident while shopping at a mall
• An injury during sports or outdoor activities

As long as it is a genuine accident and it happens inside Malaysia, you may be covered, on top of your normal SOCSO protection at work.

4. What Is Not Covered?

This is where many people get confused, so let’s be clear. Lindung 24 Jam does NOT cover:

• Illnesses or diseases, such as diabetes, fever, or high blood pressure, since these are not accidents
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Accidents caused by criminal or fraudulent acts
• Accidents that happen outside Malaysia
• Accidents that happened before the scheme started on 1 June 2026
• Self-employed individuals, since they fall under a different scheme (Act 789)

So remember, this scheme is for accidents only, not for sickness or health conditions.

5. What Should Workers Know About Their SOCSO Contribution?

Here is something that changed recently. When the scheme first started, it was compulsory for everyone. But on 8 July 2026, the Cabinet decided to make it voluntary for Malaysian employees. It remains compulsory for foreign workers.

If you are a Malaysian employee and you want to join, the contribution is fully paid by you, the employee, not your employer. The rate starts small and increases slowly over the years, from 0.75% of wages, to 1.0%, and later to 1.25%, with a wage ceiling of RM6,000.

If you do not wish to join, you can opt out through PERKESO’s LINDUNG portal or by submitting the opt-out form to your employer. Just note that your normal SOCSO protection for workplace accidents stays the same either way. Only this extra 24-hour coverage is affected by your choice.

Understanding schemes like Lindung 24 Jam can feel confusing, especially with new rules and updates coming out every few months. This is exactly why having the right HR and payroll support matters. At Kita Strategies, we help businesses in Malaysia stay updated and compliant with changes like this, so employers and employees alike do not have to worry about missing important updates. If your company needs help navigating SOCSO changes, payroll compliance, or HR matters in general, our team at Kita Strategies is here to make things simple for you.