KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 37 individuals, including six doctors, detained in connection with a syndicate that made false claims to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) are expected to be prosecuted next month.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said 37 investigation papers (IP) were opened during the operation codenamed Ops Tunjang.
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“Each individual detained has an IP. Each IP has its own set of witnesses.
“In fact, for each IP, an investigator was assigned to complete the investigation,” he told a press conference here on Friday (Oct 18).
“We expect the IPs will be completed by next month so that the suspects could be charged in court.
“While there are no new arrests made in the operation, we will continue to work with Socso to detect similar activities (in other states),” he said, adding that seven major operations had been conducted with Socso in six states so far.
“We (suspect) that the syndicate might change its modus operandi,” he said.
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Azam had earlier witnessed the signing of an MOU between the MACC and Socso to enhance governance at the latter agency.
Also present were Socso chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed and MACC Governance Investigation Division director Datuk Mohd Zaki Hassan.
Mohammed Azman said Socso has conducted seven reshuffles and improvements since 2002.
“It involves disability management, including the functions of the committee of doctors, committee of appeals doctors, and social security appeals committee.
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“We are working closely with the MACC to improve governance based on several cases identified through the arrests of 37 individuals for making fraudulent claims against Socso.
“We will improve our SOP to close off any opportunity for wrongdoing,” he said.
He said Socso will not compromise in taking action against anyone who abuses its system by making fraudulent claims.
“We will ensure that any false claim will be investigated (anywhere in the country),” he added.
On Sept 4, Azam had said losses to Socso from fraudulent claims reached RM2.1mil.
