| UPDATED 14 JULY 2026 The rules changed fast. Following public feedback, the Cabinet made SKBBK (LINDUNG 24 JAM) contributions voluntary for Malaysian employees from 8 to 9 July 2026, while they stay mandatory for foreign employees. Malaysian workers are enrolled by default and can opt out through PERKESO’s online declaration, live since 13 July 2026. Self-employed agents are still not covered. The full picture is below. |
SKBBK, a PERKESO scheme branded as LINDUNG 24 JAM, went live on 1 June 2026 to expand accident protection for millions of workers. However, within weeks, the scheme was updated. As of July 2026, contributions are voluntary for Malaysian employees and mandatory for foreign employees.
For property agents, the key question is not only how much SKBBK costs, but whether they are covered in the first place.
This is where many people still get confused. SKBBK protects employees, but it does not cover the self-employed. In real estate, where many negotiators work on a commission basis, that distinction matters because it can decide who is protected and who needs to arrange their own safety net.
This guide explains what SKBBK is, who is affected after the July update, how Malaysian employees can opt out, and why the right agency support matters when rules continue to change.
Key Takeaways
- SKBBK (LINDUNG 24 JAM) is a PERKESO scheme, live since 1 June 2026, giving 24-hour cover for non-work accidents within Malaysia.
- As of 8 to 9 July 2026 it is voluntary for Malaysian employees and still mandatory for foreign employees.
- Malaysian employees are enrolled by default and keep paying 0.75% unless they opt out through PERKESO’s online declaration.
- Self-employed people, including most commission-only RENs, are not covered at all, which is the real gap for agents.
- The deduction is small, up to about RM45 a month, so the bigger question is knowing where you stand, and that is where a strong agency helps.
Table of contents
What is SKBBK 2026 (LINDUNG 24 JAM)?
SKBBK stands for Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja, or the Non-Employment Injury Scheme. Run by PERKESO (SOCSO), it covers accidents that do not arise from your job. It was created under the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Act 2026 (Act A1788).
The Act received Royal Assent on 23 February 2026, was gazetted on 5 March 2026, and took effect on 1 June 2026. Before SKBBK, PERKESO mainly covered accidents at work or while commuting for work. An injury at home, on a weekend drive, or during a hobby usually fell outside the net.
SKBBK closes that gap. It extends protection to 24 hours a day, as long as the accident happens within Malaysia.
| Situation | Before SKBBK | With SKBBK (LINDUNG 24 JAM) |
|---|---|---|
| Accident at work | Covered | Covered |
| Commuting for work | Covered | Covered |
| Accident at home | Not covered | Covered |
| Weekend or personal travel | Not covered | Covered |
| Recreational activity | Not covered | Covered |
Cover applies to accidents within Malaysia only. Every claim is subject to PERKESO’s assessment.
One key update to note: since July 2026, SKBBK contributions have been voluntary for Malaysian employees and mandatory for foreign employees. The coverage itself has not changed, but the contribution requirement has. We explain this in the next section.
Why does this matter for real estate professionals? Because real estate is a mobile and flexible career. Agents are often on the road, travelling to viewings, meeting clients after office hours, and working on weekends. This means they face everyday risks more often than many office-based workers.
The main issue is that many property agents are self-employed, and SKBBK does not cover this group. For agents, this distinction matters because it determines whether they have accident protection or need to arrange their own coverage.
Who is affected by SKBBK, and who is left out?
Let us be clear, because the rules changed in July 2026 and this is where the distinction matters for the real estate industry. There are now three main groups.
- Malaysian employees: contributions are voluntary. You are enrolled by default and the 0.75% contribution will continue to be deducted from your salary unless you actively opt out. If you do nothing, you remain covered and continue paying.
- Foreign employees: contributions remain mandatory. Foreign employees are covered and cannot opt out.
- Self-employed people: not covered at all.Anyone under the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789) falls outside SKBBK entirely.
To opt out, a Malaysian employee must complete the online Liability Release Declaration, also known as the “TIDAK MENYERTAI” form, through PERKESO’s portal. A copy should then be given to the employer for payroll processing. The opt-out facility has been available since 13 July 2026.
So where do real estate negotiators sit? It depends on their working arrangement.
- Salaried Malaysian agents (Act 4 contract, SOCSO deducted): enrolled by default, but they can opt out.
- Salaried foreign agents: covered, and cannot opt out.
- Independent commission-only RENs who work as contractors, which represents much of the industry, are not covered by SKBBK.
This gap matters, and the July update does not close it. Whether SKBBK is voluntary or mandatory, the scheme was not designed for self-employed individuals. If you are a commission-only agent, your protection is still your responsibility unless you arrange coverage through voluntary self-employed SOCSO or a private personal accident policy.
Curious how far the REN route can actually go? See how much property agents really earn in Malaysia.
How much is the SKBBK deduction, and what do agents get?
For agents who are covered as employees, the numbers are modest.
- Rate: 0.75% of monthly wages in Phase 1.
- Wage ceiling: RM6,000, so the most you pay is RM45 a month.
- Who pays: the employee, in full. Employers only deduct and remit.
- Later phases: the rate rises in stages toward 1.25%.
Since July 2026, Malaysian employees can opt out. If you do, the deduction stops and so does your LINDUNG 24 JAM cover, though your normal work-injury SOCSO carries on. Foreign employees keep contributing.
SKBBK deduction calculator
See what SKBBK takes from your pay each month (Phase 1, 0.75%).
Based on 0.75% of wages, capped at the RM6,000 ceiling, so RM45 a month maximum. For employees under Act 4. Estimate for guidance only.
A six-month grace period begins from 1 June 2026. During this period, PERKESO may waive penalties for SKBBK non-compliance, although the required contributions still need to be paid.
So, what does the coverage include? SKBBK provides protection for non-work-related accidents within Malaysia, whether they happen at home, during personal travel, or while taking part in recreational activities. Depending on PERKESO’s assessment, the benefits may include medical treatment, disablement support and rehabilitation.
For independent RENs, the main concern is not the salary deduction. It is the protection gap. Treat SKBBK as a reminder to check whether you are properly covered. If you are not, consider closing the gap through voluntary protection under Act 789 or a private personal accident policy.
How does IQI help agents handle the change?
This is where agency support stops being a slogan and becomes real value.
For employee-status agents, IQI’s back office helps ensure deductions and remittances are handled correctly. That means one less administrative concern for agents to manage on their own.
For independent RENs, who may not be automatically covered under SKBBK, the value of having the right agency support becomes even more important.
- Clear guidance on your real coverage status, so you know whether you are protected or need your own safety net.
- A support network of team leaders and admin staff who point you to the right protection before you need it.
- Training, in-house tech like IQPilot and IQI Atlas, and mentorship, so you build a stable career instead of navigating rules alone.
Agents from all walks have built serious careers this way, from a banker who now leads 1,000+ agents to a hawker who crossed RM10 million in sales.
Exploring a flexible career in real estate? IQI gives new and experienced agents training, technology, and a global support network to grow with more confidence.
The Numbers Behind SKBBK, and How Agents Compare
The scale of SKBBK is huge. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said more than 9 million contributors under Act 4 are now covered under LINDUNG 24 JAM, with automatic enrolment for existing formal workers (The Star, 1 June 2026).
The gap it targets is real. Only about 42% of Malaysian workers held any personal accident insurance before this, so most had no cover when accidents happened outside work (DataOn, 2026).
For a mobile career like real estate, that risk can be even higher. Agents are constantly travelling, meeting clients and attending viewings, often beyond normal office hours. The lesson is simple: do not assume you are covered. Check your status and make sure you have the right protection in place.
| Point | Independent REN (self-employed) | IQI-supported agent |
|---|---|---|
| SKBBK coverage | Not automatic, must self-arrange | Guided on status and options |
| Knowing your gap | Often unaware until it is too late | Clear guidance up front |
| Support system | Personal network only | Team leaders and admin support |
| Protection planning | Solo research | Pointed to the right options |
| Career stability | Navigates rules alone | Backed by brand, network, resources |
Local expert insight
The agents who thrive through changes like SKBBK are the ones who do not face them alone. A lot of independent negotiators assume they are covered because they hear that everyone is covered now. If you are self-employed, that is simply not true. Knowing exactly where you stand on protection is part of running your business like a professional, not a hobby.
IQI property consultant
For anyone considering real estate as a career, SKBBK also highlights a bigger lesson: this industry rewards independence, but independence should not mean doing everything alone. A strong agency gives agents more than listings. It gives them structure, guidance, technology, training and people who can help them understand the practical side of building a long-term career.
FAQs
It depends on employment status. Agents employed under a formal Act 4 contract with SOCSO deducted are covered. Independent, commission-only RENs classified as self-employed are not automatically covered, since SKBBK excludes self-employed persons.
Not for Malaysian employees. Following a Cabinet decision on 8 to 9 July 2026, it is voluntary for local employees, who are enrolled by default and may opt out. It remains mandatory for foreign employees. The self-employed are excluded either way.
Malaysian employees who do not want to contribute complete an online Liability Release Declaration, the “TIDAK MENYERTAI” form, through PERKESO’s portal at lindungfaedah.perkeso.gov.my, then give a copy to their employer for payroll. The opt-out facility has been open since 13 July 2026. Do nothing and you stay enrolled.
LINDUNG 24 JAM covers non-work-related accidents within Malaysia, at home, during personal travel, or in recreation. Benefits may include medical treatment, disablement support, and rehabilitation, subject to PERKESO’s assessment.
It is 0.75% of monthly wages in Phase 1, capped at a RM6,000 wage ceiling, so up to RM45 a month, and it is fully borne by the employee.
No. The contribution is entirely employee-borne. Employers only deduct and remit it alongside normal SOCSO payments.
Since SKBBK will not cover you automatically, consider voluntary self-employed SOCSO coverage under Act 789 or a private personal-accident policy. A supportive agency can help you understand your options.
On 1 June 2026, with a six-month grace period during which PERKESO may waive penalties specifically for SKBBK non-compliance, though contributions remain due.
Ready to build a real estate career that has your back?
Real estate is one of the few careers in Malaysia with no salary ceiling. IQI agents earn uncapped commission, get paid in just 5 days, and get full training and mentorship to close their first deal, without navigating changes like SKBBK alone.
Continue Reading:
- How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Malaysia
- How Much Do Property Agents Really Earn in Malaysia?
- Become a Property Agent in Just 5 Steps
- Real Estate Agent Commission Structure in Malaysia
- Top 6 Questions About a Real Estate Negotiator’s Salary
Sources
- PERKESO. Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja (LINDUNG 24 JAM). https://www.perkeso.gov.my/en/skim-kemalangan-bukan-bencana-kerja-lindung-24-jam.html
- Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Act 2026 (Act A1788) — Royal Assent 23 February 2026, gazetted 5 March 2026.
- HavaHR. (1 June 2026). SOCSO 2026 Policy Update: Lindung 24 Jam (SKBBK) Employer Guide. https://www.havahr.com/blog/socso-2026-policy-update-lindung-24-jam
- Bispoint Group. (2026). SOCSO Lindung 24 Jam (SKBBK) Employee Guide 2026. https://bispointgroup.com/blogs/socso-lindung-24-jam-skbbk-employee-guide-2026
- CentralHR. (13 May 2026). PERKESO SKBBK / “LINDUNG 24 JAM” — What Employers and Employees Need to Know. https://www.centralhr.my/perkeso-skbbk-lindung-24-jam-what-employers-and-employees-need-to-know-2026/
- Pandahrms. (4 June 2026). SOCSO Contribution Table 2026: New Lindung 24 Jam (SKBBK) Rates Effective 1 June 2026. https://pandahrms.com/socso-contribution-table-2026-new-lindung-24-jam-skbbk-rates-effective-1-june-2026/
- DataOn / SunFish Malaysia. (26 May 2026). LINDUNG 24 JAM (SKBBK) by SOCSO: What Employees and Employers Need to Know. https://dataon.com/en-my/blog/lindung-24-jam-skbbk-socso/
- AJobThing. (2026). SOCSO “Lindung 24 Jam”: New Employee Contribution Scheme Effective 1 June 2026. https://www.ajobthing.com/resources/blog/socso-lindung-24-jam-new-employee-contribution-scheme-effective-1-june-2026
- Financio. (2026). Release Note v2.11.8 — SOCSO Compliance Update Effective 1 June 2026. https://support.financio.co/hc/en-us/articles/57866086491929-Release-Note-version-2-11-8
- Ravi, D. T. (2026, June 1). Enhanced PERKESO protection kicks in, eligible workers automatically enrolled. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/06/01/enhanced-perkeso-protection-kicks-in-eligible-workers-automatically-enrolled
