KOTA BARU: Twelve years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished, Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) benefits continue to provide financial stability to next-of-kin who lost their primary breadwinners.
The Dependants' Benefit (FOT) under the Employment Injury Scheme of the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) provides continuous financial security to affected families, helping dependants cover basic household expenses and fund tertiary education.
One recipient, Nurlaila Ngah, 52, said she was left to raise three school-going children alone after her husband, flight steward Wan Swaid Wan Ismail, went missing in the March 8, 2014 incident.
"I am grateful my husband contributed to Perkeso while serving as a flight steward with Malaysia Airlines since 1995. Even though he has not been found, his children receive Perkeso benefits as the incident was categorised as an employment injury.
"We have received more than RM2,500 a month through this benefit since 2014, supporting us in managing daily expenses," she said.
Nurlaila, who resides in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, said her children, aged 20, 22, and 24, continue to receive monthly assistance while pursuing higher education under conditions set by Perkeso.
"Social security protection plays a vital role when a family member suffers a workplace misfortune. At the very least, it eases the family's burden, especially when children pursue higher education," she added.
Similarly, Norazlinda Ayub, 51, wife of missing flight steward Junaidi Mohd Kassim, said her monthly benefit of over RM2,700 helps cover educational expenses for her two children, aged 20 and 23.
"After losing my husband, I had to stay strong and rebuild my life for the children. I work in the unit trust industry, where income depends entirely on my own efforts," said Norazlinda, who lives in Shah Alam, Selangor.
She added that her husband had contributed to Perkeso since joining the airline around 1997, and urged self-employed workers to contribute under Perkeso's Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (Lindung Kendiri).
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"We may feel financially capable today, but we never know what tomorrow brings," she said.
Perkeso deputy chief executive (operations) Azirruan Arifin said 50,945 active dependants were receiving the FOT benefit under Act 4 as of Aug 31, 2026.
He said assistance includes periodic benefit payments at a daily rate equivalent to 90 per cent of the worker's assumed average daily wage, subject to a minimum of RM30 and a maximum of RM178.50 per day.
Azirruan added that eligible dependent children can access education loans, while the scheme also provides a one-off funeral benefit of up to RM3,000.S
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