By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, June 10: Six men, including four company owners and two company runners, have been remanded to assist in a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into alleged fraudulent claims amounting to RM9.01 million under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 employment incentive programme.
The suspects, aged between 31 and 42, were arrested by Sarawak MACC officers between 2pm and 3.40pm yesterday.
According to sources, the suspects are believed to have submitted documents containing false information to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) between 2024 and 2025 to obtain government incentives under the programme.
The remand order was issued by Magistrate Nur Syaheeqa Nazwa Radzali at the Kuching Magistrates’ Court today following an application by MACC Sarawak.
Three suspects who were unrepresented were remanded for four days until June 13, while the remaining three, who were represented by counsel, were remanded for two days until June 11.
The suspects were represented by lawyers Ralph Lee, Benedict Bryan Khu, Jong Yee Ling, Patrick Voon, Alex Kong, Tiong Ing Neng and Yong Suk Hui.
The case is being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 for submitting documents containing false particulars.
The arrests are part of a wider MACC investigation into alleged abuses involving the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, with authorities estimating that fraudulent claims linked to the scheme totalled about RM9.01 million.
Previously, MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman revealed that investigations had identified 143 companies and 320 purported employees nationwide suspected of being involved in the misappropriation of government funds administered by PERKESO since 2024.
Among the irregularities uncovered were cases in which non-existent individuals were allegedly declared as employees to facilitate claims under the programme.
Daya Kerjaya 2.0 is a wage incentive initiative aimed at encouraging employers to hire individuals from vulnerable groups. Eligible employers may receive RM1,500 per month for six months for each qualifying hire, including persons with disabilities, former inmates and senior citizens. — DayakDaily
