KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) has emphasised the need for long-term measures to address the growing issue of false claims within the system.
Socso group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said such an approach could look into providing social security schemes or pensions for retired elderlies.
He said the issue of false claims stemmed from the state of the social security system which lacked long-term solutions.
"Based on that situation, we see false claims involving disability pension will be made because they do not have an old age pension scheme that can help them until the end of life.
"The disability pension will only be given to contributors who are truly eligible if they are unable to work due to paralysis or severe health conditions based on a medical report certified by a doctor," he said after joining a corporate visit to Media Prima Berhad at Sri Pentas, Bandar Utama.
The purpose of the visit was to strengthen cooperation with the media in conveying information to contributors about the benefits and claims provided.
Also present were Media Prima group chairman, Datuk Syed Hussian Aljunid, Media Prima Omnia chief operating officer Datuk Mohd Efendi Omar and The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) group managing editor Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman.
He explained that retirees currently rely on savings under the Employee Provident Fund scheme, which is received in a lump sum upon retirement.
"Therefore, a scheme for elderly pensioners is not fully implemented yet.
"So based on that, if we look at the long-term approach, we need to look at how we can provide pensions for the elderly, where the Perkeso pension is not just a support, but a safety net for them after retirement."
He cautioned contributors against using false information that could be misleading to gain approval of their claims.
"Do not use false report information and do not exploit situations that mislead doctors and others involved because this is the contributors' money.
"It involves the overall contribution of workers in one funding. For those who genuinely qualify, the doctors will determine their eligibility."
Azman added that their short-term approach involves educating contributors on their eligibility which could let them apply for legitimate claims.
Last November, the media reported that an elderly man was brought before the Selayang Court on charges of making a false claim to Perkeso while seeking treatment at the Selayang Hospital.
The 60-year-old man was found to have committed the act eight years ago to obtain disability pension benefits of more than RM137,000.
