MACC Cracks Down on RM9 Million Employment Incentive Fraud, More Than 70 Remanded Nationwide
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 70 individuals, including company owners and agents, have been remanded as part of a nationwide investigation into alleged fraudulent claims amounting to RM9 million under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 employment incentive programme.
The suspects, comprising 48 men and 25 women aged between their 20s and 70s, were detained on Tuesday at Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) offices across the country, except in Perlis.
According to sources, preliminary investigations indicate that the alleged offences took place between 2024 and 2025. The suspects are believed to have submitted false applications to obtain government wage incentives intended to encourage employment in the private sector and government-linked companies (GLCs).
Under the programme, employers were eligible to receive wage incentives of RM1,500 per month for six months for each worker hired. Investigators believe false information was used to claim these incentives unlawfully.
The arrests were made following a large-scale integrated operation conducted on June 9 by the MACC, involving its Intelligence Division, Investigation Division, and state offices nationwide, with assistance from the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).
During the operation, enforcement teams raided 90 locations linked to company premises across Malaysia. A total of 83 individuals were detained, including six agents believed to have facilitated the applications and 77 company owners.
Sources revealed that intelligence-gathering efforts had been ongoing since November 2025, focusing on 143 company premises nationwide and involving approximately 320 individuals suspected of having connections to the scheme.
As part of the investigation, MACC officers recorded 104 statements from 32 suspects and 72 witnesses to assist in establishing the extent of the alleged fraud.
Authorities have also frozen 25 company bank accounts containing approximately RM390,000 as part of efforts to trace and secure funds linked to the case.
MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman confirmed the arrests and said investigations are being conducted under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, which deals with the submission of false claims.
The anti-graft agency is expected to continue its investigations to identify additional individuals and entities that may have been involved in the alleged misuse of public funds under the employment incentive programme.
The case represents one of the largest recent enforcement actions involving government incentive schemes and highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to safeguard public funds and strengthen accountability in employment-related assistance programmes.