BUTTERWORTH, Sept 20 — The Transport Ministry (MOT) has allocated RM3.5 million for the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme (Lindung Kendiri) initiative this year, benefiting 50,000 taxi, rental car and school bus drivers nationwide.
Its minister Anthony Loke said the government’s contribution rate under the scheme is set at 70 per cent and will be implemented by the Human Resources Ministry (MOHR) through the Social Security Organisation (Socso), effective January 1.
The MOT will sponsor the remaining 30 per cent of the total contribution, with the RM3.5 million allocation is proceeds from the sale of Special Registration Numbers (NPI) bids and not a Finance Ministry (MOF) allocation.
“This RM3.5 million allocation is not provided by MOF, as there is no specific budget item for this purpose in MOT’s annual allocation. Therefore, we decided to use the proceeds from NPI number plate bids to fund it,” he said.
Loke announced this after opening the Seberang Jaya branch Socso Dialysis Centre and presentation of the Lindung Kendiri sponsorship at the Penang Socso office in Seberang Jaya today.
He added that the sponsorship is targeted for 50,000 drivers, comprising 35,000 taxi or rental car drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers, who are still active nationwide.
The allocation increase from RM1.165 million in 2024 to RM3.5 million this year will not only improve protection but also become an advocacy platform to raise awareness among the Self-Employed on the importance of social protection.
The minister noted that in 2024, MOT sponsored the remaining 10 per cent or RM23.30 per person, with a total disbursement of almost RM524,000.
The government, via Socso, covered 90 per cent (RM209.50) of the full contribution of RM232.80, with about 22,000 taxi, rental car, and school bus drivers having benefited.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said this year marks the second consecutive year of collaboration between MOT and MOHR to provide free contributions to 50,000 drivers nationwide.
“Thank you to MOT. I would like to remind our driver friends to be more aware of this scheme, because sometimes when we assist them with claims, they are not even aware that they are contributors.
"In the event of a disaster or accident, many still do not realise their entitlement to make a claim,” he said.
According to Socso statistics, from January to September 5, 829,771 Self-Employed Persons (OBS) contributed to Lindung Kendiri, with 189,662 of them from the passenger transport category.
During the same period, benefit distributions under Lindung Kendiri recorded 5,712 recipients, with total payments exceeding RM21.2 million.
