KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — Four victims who died in the devastating road accident on Jalan Karak Lama, Bentong, on July 25 have been confirmed eligible for benefits under the Social Security Organisation's (PERKESO) LINDUNG 24 Jam scheme, providing financial relief to their families.
PERKESO said the four victims — V. Mugilan, A. Kanabati Raja, K. Alaganathan and M. Parathanman, aged between 16 and 25 — were active contributors eligible for benefits under the LINDUNG 24 Jam and Invalidity schemes provided under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4).
The next of kin of each victim are also entitled to a one-off Funeral Management Benefit of RM3,000.
PERKESO said Mugilan's dependants would receive an Invalidity Pension of RM562.50, distributed according to their respective shares, with his wife receiving the benefit for life and his two-year-old child until the age of 21 or upon completing a first degree.
Alaganathan's family is also entitled to the Invalidity Pension, with his parents receiving RM564.36 for life, while his siblings will receive payments until they reach the age of 21.
The organisation said the families of Kanabati Raja and Parathanman are eligible for the Dependants' Benefit under the LINDUNG 24 Jam scheme.
Kanabati Raja's parents will receive the benefit for life, while his siblings below the age of 21 are entitled to payments amounting to RM1,647.
Parathanman's dependants, comprising his parents and siblings, will receive a monthly Dependants' Benefit of RM891.
PERKESO said the total value of the Dependants' Benefit payable to the affected families over the next 30 years is estimated to exceed RM900,000.
Meanwhile, the organisation said three other victims had no active contribution records, while another had no contribution record at all, making them ineligible for benefits under Act 4.
PERKESO said tragedies such as the Bentong crash not only claim lives but also deprive families of their breadwinners and source of income.
It said the LINDUNG 24 Jam scheme was introduced to ensure dependants continue to receive protection even when accidents occur outside working hours.
"Social security cannot erase the grief of losing a loved one, but it can at least ease the financial burden families are forced to bear in the aftermath of such a tragedy," it said.
PERKESO also reminded workers and employers to ensure social security contributions are kept up to date so that protection is available when needed, and urged all road users to prioritise safety and obey traffic laws.
