Sheryl (second left) and Maling (fourth right) take a group photo with programme participants.
SIBU (May 4): The Social Security Organisation (Socso) introduced their social security schemes for self-employed workers and housewives during the Community Farming Programme 2025 at Rumah Maling Sungai Aup here today.
According to Socso Sibu branch employment services officer Sheryl Raju, these are the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) and Housewives Social Security Scheme (SKSSR).
She said SKSPS, which was introduced in 2017, continues to receive government support with higher contribution subsidies this year.
“For the second contribution plan of SKSPS in 2025, the government subsidises 70 per cent while the contributor only needs to pay the remaining 30 per cent, amounting to RM70 annually out of the original RM232.82,” she said.
She added the Contribution Matching Scheme 2025 covers 13 categories of self-employment, including farmers, fishermen, small traders, e-hailing drivers and gig workers.
As for the SPS Madani 2025 scheme, she said the government provides full financing of contributions under Contribution Plan 2 (RM232.90), with a 12-month coverage for self-employed individuals such as volunteers, workers in houses of worship and community rehabilitation supervisors and assistants.
Meanwhile, SKSSR specifically provides protection to Malaysian housewives or permanent residents aged below 55.
“For SKSSR, the contribution is only RM120 per year. The benefits include medical benefits, permanent disability benefits, constant attendance allowance, physical and dialysis rehabilitation facilities, incapacity allowance, funeral management benefits, and survivors’ pension,” she explained.
Sheryl said that to date, more than 400 housewives in Sibu have registered under the scheme.
Further elaborating on the SKSSR eligibility criteria, she said that for first-time participants, the housewife must not exceed 54 years of age and must pay the RM120 contribution upfront for continuous coverage for 12 months.
“This contribution can be paid by the housewife herself, her husband, family members, or any third party. If the husband chooses to contribute for his wife, the principle of ‘once in, always in’ applies to ensure continuous protection,” she said.
She added that if there is any loss of income, contributors must inform Perkeso within 60 days before the existing contribution period ends.
Thus, Sheryl urged more self-employed individuals and housewives in Sibu to seize the opportunity to obtain social protection for their future wellbeing, in line with the government’s efforts to expand the national social safety network.
Meanwhile, Councillor Jiram Mardan when interviewed said the programme had been planned since early this year.
“This programme also covers Sungai Empawah and aims to reach out to the longhouse communities.
“That is one of the main objectives of the RCS (Rural Community Service) programme,” he said.
He said that for this event, they invited two government agencies—Socso and the Department of Agriculture—to conduct awareness talks for the residents.
“We also appreciate the longhouse chief Tr Maling for providing the venue for Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to hold the talks,” he added.
According to Jiram, the RCS programme involves a total of 16 events to be carried out across various locations within Sibu.
“Each councillor is assigned specific tasks within their respective wards. After this, we plan to hold another RCS event next month at a different location, and we are considering inviting the Ministry of Health Malaysia for future sessions,” he said.
He noted that this is the first RCS programme organised for this year.
