Latest news with #Perkeso
The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
Businessman fined RM300,000 for cheating Perkeso over non-existent courses
KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman was fined RM300,000 by the Sessions Court here after he pleaded guilty to 10 counts of cheating the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) involving RM496,000 for non-existent training courses, five years ago. Judge Suzana Hussin meted out the sentence on Wednesday (July 2) on P. Sathia Seelan, 52, after he pleaded guilty to all 10 charges during the case mention. The court imposed a RM30,000 fine for each charge, totalling RM300,000, and ordered the man to be jailed for 10 months if he fails to pay the fine. According to the first to 10th charges, Sathia Seelan was accused of deceiving two Perkeso officers by submitting documents containing falsified attendance lists and participant signatures for three training courses that were never conducted. The offences, involving five companies, were allegedly committed between Dec 4, 2020, and July 22, 2021. It prompted Perkeso to make a payment of RM496,000 to Global Education Network Sdn Bhd, owned by the accused, which the agency would not have done if it had not been deceived. He was charged with committing the offences at the Employment Services Division, Menara Perkeso, Putrajaya, between Dec 23, 2020, and Aug 12, 2021. The charges were framed under Section 417 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction. In the same proceedings, R. Nanthagopal, 43, was also fined RM300,000 or 10 months' jail, after pleading guilty to abetting Sathia Seelan in committing the offences at the same location and time. The charge was framed under Section 417 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 109 of the same law, which provides for a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Noor Syazwani Mohamad Sobry urged the court to impose a sentence which would serve as a deterrent, ensuring both accused do not repeat such offences. Lawyer R. Babu Naidu, representing both accused, pleaded for a lighter sentence on the grounds that his clients had expressed remorse and had fully cooperated with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) throughout the investigation since 2023. - Bernama
The Sun
17 hours ago
- The Sun
Businessman fined RM300k for cheating Perkeso with fake courses
KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman was fined RM300,000 by the Sessions Court today after admitting to 10 counts of cheating the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) by claiming payments for training courses that never took place. Judge Suzana Hussin imposed the penalty on P. Sathia Seelan, 52, who pleaded guilty to all charges. The court ordered a RM30,000 fine for each offence, totalling RM300,000, with a 10-month jail term if he fails to pay. The charges stated that Sathia Seelan submitted falsified attendance lists and participant signatures for three non-existent courses between December 2020 and July 2021. This led Perkeso to disburse RM496,000 to his company, Global Education Network Sdn Bhd. The offences were committed at the Employment Services Division, Menara Perkeso, Putrajaya, under Section 417 of the Penal Code, punishable by up to five years' jail, a fine, or both. In the same case, R. Nanthagopal, 43, was fined RM300,000 or 10 months' jail for abetting Sathia Seelan. Deputy public prosecutor Noor Syazwani Mohamad Sobry sought a deterrent sentence, while defence lawyer R. Babu Naidu appealed for leniency, citing his clients' cooperation with authorities.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Businessman and accomplice each fined RM300,000 for cheating Perkeso
KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman was today fined RM300,000 by the Sessions Court after pleading guilty to 10 charges of cheating Perkeso (Social Security Organisation) out of RM496,000 through fictitious training programmes five years ago. Judge Suzana Hussin handed down the sentence to P. Sathia Seelan, 52, after he admitted to all alternative charges during case mention today (July 2). The court ordered him to serve 10 months in jail if he failed the pay. On all charges, Sathia was found to have cheated two Perkeso officers by submitting a document, which bore the name list of participants and their signatures, for three training courses that were never conducted. Sathia's actions induced Perkeso to disburse RM496,000 to his company, Syarikat Global Education Network Sdn Bhd. He committed the offence at the Perkeso office in Putrajaya between Dec 23, 2020 and Aug 12, 2021. The charges under Section 417 of the Penal Code carries a maximum five-year jail term or a fine or both upon conviction. In the same proceedings, Sathia's accomplice friend, R. Nanthagopal, 43, was fined RM300,000 in default 10 months' jail after pleading guilty to conspiring with the former to commit the same offence at the same date and place. He was charged under Section 417 of the code, read together with Section 109. Deputy public prosecutor Noor Syazwani Mohamad Sobry urged the court to impose a proportionate sentence as deterrent. In mitigation, lawyer R. Babu Naidu, who acted for both accused, pleaded for leniency. "They are repentant and had given their cooperation to the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission throughout the investigation since 2023," he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
A wake-up call for insurance industry
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's insurance and takaful industry is confronting an uncomfortable truth: despite more than a century of operations, strong global brands, and modern digital tools, over half of the population remains uninsured or underinsured. For an industry built on protection, this isn't just a statistic - it's a wake-up call, said Ravinder Singh, a veteran who has spent more than a decade pushing online insurance solutions forward. "Let's face the hard truth. Sixty per cent of Malaysians still have no insurance or takaful. That means over 300 of the 550 people who die daily leave no protection for their families. For an industry that's been here for over a century, with all the world's biggest insurers, this is unacceptable," he said in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines, which also featured Rhenu Bhuller, an experienced healthcare strategist with deep roots across Asia-Pacific. Ravinder - who is a reinsurer, actuary and advocate - said this protection gap reveals a deeper structural challenge: reaching groups who have long been underserved, especially the M40 and B40 income segments, gig workers, and rural households. "The most vulnerable are the M40 and B40 segments, who have limited savings and often large families. Only online, direct channels with simple and affordable products can close this gap. And until we do that, I have no plans to retire." He believes closing this gap will require more than just digital apps or brochures. To keep premiums sustainable post-retirement, he proposes actuarial and subsidy models that spread the cost over time. One solution is lifecycle pricing with cross-subsidisation. "This is where policyholders pay slightly higher premiums during their earning years to lock in more stable rates post-retirement. It works well for life and savings products, but not for medical insurance. That's because medical inflation and the emergence of costlier treatments keep pushing healthcare costs up," Ravinder said. He suggested a fresh approach: unlock unused value. "Many Malaysians hold two medical policies (employer and private) but can only claim from one. Instead of insurers pocketing that surplus, it could roll into a health savings account to offset future premiums. A matching contribution from employers or the government would sweeten the pot," Ravinder said. Ravinder also sees "longevity credits" as part of the solution - rewarding people who maintain good health with more stable premiums. This could be tied to employer health checks or programmes like Perkeso's SEHATI, which provides free screenings for people aged 40-59. Meanwhile, he said despite heavy investment in digital, self-service insurance sales still account for less than 10 per cent of total policies. "Insurance is still seen as complex and low-trust. Where it has worked, like in microtakaful or basic term products, it's because the value is clear, the pricing is transparent, and claims are simple. "We're in a hybrid phase now. The goal of self-service isn't just to digitise forms but to remove friction. That means guided journeys, smart defaults, and even trial coverage for specific communities." es. Ravinder added that consumer sentiment remains a hurdle. "Too many people still see insurance as confusing or, worse, a scam. The fix isn't more talks; it's real experience. Education alone won't shift sentiment. "People only understand it once they own a policy. Start with small, affordable plans. Once they're protected, they get curious, they ask questions, and they learn." Keeping critical illness cover within reach One area that Ravinder says can help plug the gap is critical illness (CI) coverage. "CI is a good complement to — or even a substitute for — medical insurance. Unlike medical plans, CI premiums are fixed once bought." He pointed out that for a healthy 40-year-old, an RM100,000 CI policy can cost less than RM1 a day on many online platforms. "The key is to buy early. Also, you don't need coverage for all 46 diseases. The "Big 5" illnesses, such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and major organ transplant, account for the vast majority of claims. Keeping it simple makes it affordable and accessible," he said. For Ravinder, the message is clear: the industry must innovate beyond products, rethink pricing and distribution, and deliver simple, tangible value to those who need it most — and can least afford to go without. Malaysia at a healthcare crossroads amid global pressures, says Rhenu As healthcare systems worldwide brace for a turbulent decade, Malaysia's own system stands at a pivotal crossroads — grappling with the same mounting challenges that have forced developed nations to rethink how they deliver care. "It's clear that we're dealing with a complex interplay of five major forces – demographic shifts, economic pressures, workforce shortages, the acceleration of digital transformation and rapid technological change," said Rhenu. The stakes are high. Countries everywhere are wrestling with how to make healthcare more accessible, financially sustainable, and truly patient-centred, especially as ageing populations and rising costs from advanced treatments and administrative inefficiencies strain budgets, she said. "We're dealing with a complex interplay of five major forces — demographic shifts, economic pressures, workforce shortages, the acceleration of digital transformation, and rapid technological change," said Rhenu. While digital health solutions hold great promise, Rhenu cautions that issues like fragmented data, cybersecurity risks, and uneven adoption must be addressed head-on. "The challenge is scaling technology without overwhelming clinicians or widening health inequities," she said. She highlighted widening gaps in care by geography, income and ethnicity, as well as growing mental health needs among youth and the elderly. Women's health, she added, also continues to lag behind. "These challenges are interconnected, and solving them will require bold leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and a willingness to rethink how healthcare is delivered and financed," she said. Drawing on her work in Singapore, Australia, and Switzerland, Rhenu believes Malaysia has proven models it can adapt — provided they fit local realities. "I am sure our relevant departments have studied other healthcare models and every country curates what fits its unique context, but I will share 3 contrasting examples from countries I have lived in and personally experienced the healthcare systems of, all of which utilise a blend of shared services between public and private systems and insurance tailored to suit local situations." She said Singapore, for instance, is tackling rising costs, expected to nearly double to S$43 billion by 2030, with a balanced strategy of fiscal discipline, innovation, and inclusion. Its 3M Framework — Medisave, MediShield Life, and Medifund — ensures that even the most vulnerable citizens have access to care. In Switzerland, mandatory private insurance is balanced by robust government oversight and local accountability. Nearly 30 per cent of residents receive subsidies for their premiums, managed by cantonal governments that also oversee hospital services to reflect local needs while maintaining national standards. Australia, meanwhile, shows how strong public-private partnerships and an integrated digital health strategy can work in practice. "Their National Digital Health Strategy is a great example of using real-time data to guide care and shape policy," she noted. Malaysia, too, is ramping up its digital health push, from smart hospitals to interoperable health records, but Rhenu warns that technology must be designed around real people. "One critical lesson from Australia and South Korea is the importance of designing digital health strategies around the patient, not just the system. That means prioritising user-friendly interfaces, multilingual access, and seamless data sharing between providers." She added that digital solutions must reach beyond urban centres to truly serve rural communities through scalable, mobile-first approaches. Fragmented data and weak cybersecurity protections remain big hurdles. Just as crucial, she said, is ensuring healthcare professionals are ready to adopt and use these tools with confidence. "Ongoing digital upskilling must be a priority," she stressed. "Technology alone won't fix the system — people will." Balancing universal care with rising costs Rhenu sees a clear multi-pronged pathway for Malaysia to balance universal healthcare with the rising costs of advanced care and continuous innovation. She said one critical pillar is a sustainable funding framework, which could include a national health insurance scheme that pools risk across the population, similar to South Korea's model. "This would reduce reliance on out-of-pocket payments and create a more sustainable funding base for both basic and advanced care. Switzerland blends mandatory private insurance with strong public oversight. While insurers are private, the government regulates pricing and ensures universal access. This model fosters innovation while maintaining equity and cost control." She also called for stronger public-private partnerships to expand capacity without overstretching the public sector. By integrating private providers into national strategies through shared services, co-financing arrangements, or outcome-based contracts, Malaysia could deliver more care where it's needed most, she said. Another priority is a sharper focus on value-based healthcare. This means rigorously assessing treatments and technologies for their cost-effectiveness and measurable health outcomes. "Every ringgit should deliver clear, proven results for patients," she said, adding that a value-based approach ensures spending remains sustainable while improving care quality. Rhenu also stressed the need for greater investment in prevention, including early detection, health education, and chronic disease management, to help reduce the costly burden of hospital admissions down the line. She further recommended encouraging voluntary supplemental insurance alongside universal coverage. "Maintaining universal access to core services is essential, but giving people the option to purchase additional private coverage for elective or advanced procedures helps preserve fairness while offering more choice," she said. Rhenu added that balancing these solutions will require strategic trade-offs, but the end goal must be clear: stretch every ringgit wisely while safeguarding universal access for all Malaysians. Transparency and accountability will be vital to earning and maintaining public trust, she said. Closing the postcode gap Rhenu's ultimate vision is a system that breaks the "postcode effect", where the quality of care depends more on where you live than on what you need. "Around the world, we've seen how living in the wrong district can mean longer waits, fewer specialists, or limited preventive care. Countries are tackling this with regional networks, equity-based funding, and mobile services. "It is important for us to embed geographic equity into health planning. Malaysia's healthcare system is at a critical inflection point. My vision is for us to have a system that is resilient, inclusive, and rooted in people's everyday realities. "That means supporting our ageing population with home-based and community care, investing in preventive health, and recognising the vital role of family carers. We must also close equity gaps so that whether you live in a city or a rural kampung, you get the care you deserve," she said. With bold leadership, cross-sector partnerships, and a willingness to rethink old models, Rhenu believes Malaysia can meet this moment and build a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Barnama
24-06-2025
- General
- Barnama
Perkeso Pension A Final Gift From Late Raja Nurfatimah Mawar To Her Mother
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Survivor's Pension benefit from the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) now stands as a final act of love from the late Berita Harian entertainment desk assistant editor Raja Nurfatimah Mawar Mohamed to her mother, Katijah Muda, 69. Although she passed away last Sunday, Raja Nurfatimah Mawar's contributions to Perkeso have enabled her mother to receive a monthly pension of over RM1,300, ensuring continued financial support. Perkeso group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said her death was a significant loss not only to her family but also to the Malaysian media industry, which she had served with dedication for over 30 years.
