KUALA LUMPUR – Irregularities under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 Programme were first exposed by Perkeso through its internal monitoring systems, before the case was escalated to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the case demonstrates the effectiveness of Perkeso’s governance and anti-fraud mechanisms.
“It is important to clarify that the suspected irregularities were first detected through Perkeso’s Anti-Fraud, Ethics and Integrity Division (AFEI). Their internal monitoring flagged suspicious patterns during data analysis in late 2024,” he said in a statement.
Ramanan explained that AFEI immediately commenced intelligence gathering, surveillance and comprehensive investigations to verify the findings and determine the extent of the suspected abuse.
“The diligence of Perkeso officers ensured that the matter did not go unnoticed. They scrutinised records, gathered evidence and established the modus operandi of the suspected misconduct throughout 2025,” he added.
The findings were then presented to Perkeso’s Group Chief Executive Officer, who directed that the case be escalated to MACC for further action.
“This decision reflects Perkeso’s firm commitment to transparency and accountability. Rather than concealing the issue, they referred the matter to MACC Perak in August 2025 and continued to cooperate fully,” Ramanan said.
As investigations widened, the case was escalated to MACC headquarters in Putrajaya. Perkeso furnished all relevant documents, records and evidence to assist enforcement action.
“This shows that Perkeso’s internal controls are not only functioning but effective. Detecting, investigating and reporting the suspected abuse before handing it over to MACC is proof of integrity in action,” he stressed.
Ramanan commended the professionalism of Perkeso’s AFEI officers, saying their efforts exemplify the culture of integrity that Kesuma continues to strengthen.
He also reminded that the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 Programme was introduced to support vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, ex-prisoners, senior citizens and job seekers.
“Any abuse of incentives meant to help Malaysians is unacceptable. It undermines public trust and deprives deserving beneficiaries of support. Firm action must be taken against anyone found guilty of misusing public funds,” he said.
Ramanan concluded that Kesuma, through Perkeso, remains committed to strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing verification processes and working closely with MACC to ensure public funds are protected. – June 8, 2026