Socso revamp to counter fraud

The Human Resources Ministry has ordered the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to review its medical board, establish a rehabilitation system and a special department comprising specialists to counter fraud.
The experts will begin work immediately under the Risk Assessment Department to trace those who have been abusing disability pension schemes offered by Socso.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said it would also re-examine the claims procedures for Socso, aiming to reduce the incidence of fraud.
"They will also ensure the validity of collection procedures and find ways to reduce and control fraudulent activity for disability claims," he said.
This reinforces the ministry’s order to Socso, reported in the New Straits Times today, to thoroughly investigate all reported abuse cases, evaluate the system of medical boards and make sure claimants undergo a three- to six-month rehabilitation programme to determine the extent of permanent disability.
"I have full confidence in the medical board, but decision-making needs to be more transparent so that we have greater public accountability," Fong said.
He was commenting on a recent exposé by the NST that hundreds of healthy workers were abusing millions of ringgit from Socso in disability benefits with the co-operation of doctors and independent medical boards endorsed by Socso.
Meanwhile in Johor Baru, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said industrial accidents were still high, with an average of 6.8 accidents recorded per 1,000 workers last year.
In developed countries, the ratio is three accidents per 1,000 workers.
"There is still a long way to go to achieve a low industrial accident rate like in developed nations.
"There is a urgent need for a concerted effort among the Government, employers and employees to bring down the industrial accident rate," Ghani added.
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