Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission & SOCSO launch investigations into false claims, misappropriation of PenjanaKerjaya funds

"The MACC takes the issue seriously because it is in the public interest, and guarantees a thorough investigation to ensure that the parties involved are subject to stern action based on the law in force," it was affirmed.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Social Security Organization (SOCSO) have launched Ops Hire, a move to investigate the issue of false claims and misappropriation of incentive funds under the government's Hiring Incentive Programme (PenjanaKerjaya) in several states.

Announced on Wednesday (13 July 2022), the large-scale operation was conducted by the MACC Headquarters together with the individual State MACC, and was carried out simultaneously starting that day.

As shared by the MACC, monitoring on the fund recipients, which was done together with SOCSO, had earlier unveiled several employers who had submitted false claims and misappropriated these funds.

"The MACC takes the issue seriously because it is in the public interest, and guarantees a thorough investigation to ensure that the parties involved are subject to stern action based on the law in force," it was affirmed.

PenjanaKerjaya was launched on 5 June 2021, as part of Malaysia's Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA).

Implemented by SOCSO and with support from the Ministry of Human Resources, PenjanaKerjaya aims to promote job creation and increase employment prospects, Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammed Azman bin Aziz Mohammed said in a statement following the launch. 

As part of the programme, companies will be given financial incentives to provide employment to the unemployed and youth, and about 300,000 job seekers are expected to benefit. Additionally, the unemployed who wish to upskill can claim up to RM4,000 worth of training allowances by SOCSO, even though they do not currently contribute to the Employment Insurance Scheme.

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