When a plane tragically crashed near Elmina in 2023, two gig workers were caught in the disaster. One had just renewed his PERKESO coverage. Today, his grieving family receives a pension that ensures their survival.
The other, who had discontinued his coverage, left behind a family suddenly vulnerable and uncertain of their future.
The same accident. The same place. The same time. Yet two completely different outcomes because of one factor: social security protection.
I shared this story at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) in Kuala Lumpur, where for the first time, Southeast Asia became host to the largest global gathering of social protection leaders. For one week, our capital city stood as the meeting point of ideas, reforms, and solidarity in many ways, the capital of global social security.
Malaysia’s journey in this space is deeply personal for me. My father spent his life in a factory. My grandfathers were a carpenter and a lorry driver. They worked hard, lived with dignity, and gave everything to their families, but they had no safety nets. Their stories are not unique; they mirror those of countless Malaysians whose labour built this nation yet went unprotected.
It is for them, and for today’s workers, that we act. Over the past decade, we have expanded PERKESO coverage to more than 10 million workers, a 63 percent increase.
We recognised homemakers through the LINDUNG KASIH scheme, extending protection to over half a million women whose unpaid work sustains our care economy. And this year, Parliament passed the Gig Workers Act, guaranteeing compulsory protection for millions of riders and drivers who form the backbone of the platform economy.
These reforms are not just about fairness; they are also about prosperity. Research by the International Social Security Association shows that every dollar invested in social protection generates a 2.5 times multiplier effect in the economy.
In Malaysia, we have seen that expanding coverage and increasing benefits do not weaken the system but strengthen it. Claims remain steady thanks to good governance from PERKESO, and innovations like AI-driven processing ensure efficiency and trust.
Our mission is guided by what I call the 3K framework: Kebajikan Pekerja (welfare), Kemahiran Pekerja (skills), and Keberhasilan Pekerja (productivity). But above all, it is anchored by a fourth K - Karamah Insaniah, the dignity of humanity. This is the essence of Malaysia Madani: a society that values every person not just for their utility, but for their humanity.
As Kuala Lumpur welcomed the world to WSSF 2025, we showcased reforms that reflect our belief in dignity and protection for all. But we also opened ourselves to learning, sharing, and building a stronger global framework together.
Social security is the great equaliser of our age. It is the guarantee that workers, families, and communities will not be left to fend for themselves in times of crisis. And it is our duty, as policymakers and as a global community, to ensure that this promise extends to every person.
Malaysia stands ready to lead, but also to listen. Kuala Lumpur will not only become the capital of global social security for a week, but the spirit of solidarity that was forged here must continue far beyond. Because in the end, this work is not about systems or policies alone. It is about people, their dignity, and their right to a future secured.
YB STEVEN SIM is the Human Resources Minister.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
This Social Security series is in collaboration with PERKESO.
