Published On: 20/07/2026By

Many Employees Have Already Opted Out—But Did You Know You Can Opt Back In?

Since PERKESO announced that LINDUNG 24 Jam would become voluntary for Malaysian employees, one question has consistently appeared across HR groups, payroll discussions, and social media:

“If I Opt-Out today, can I join again later?”

Other common questions include:

  • Can I Opt-Out after I’ve Opted-In again?
  • What happens if I never submit an Opt-Out form?
  • Will I automatically remain in the scheme?
  • Can I change employers and continue my participation?

The good news is that PERKESO’s latest LINDUNG 24 Jam Participation Form (updated on 16 July 2026) has provided greater clarity by introducing new participation options, including changing from OPT-OUT to OPT-IN and updating your participating employer.

In this guide, Pandahrms explains the latest LINDUNG 24 Jam participation rules in simple language so employers, HR professionals, payroll teams, and employees can understand how the scheme currently works.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the latest PERKESO forms and publicly available information as of 17 July 2026. As implementation procedures may continue to evolve, always refer to PERKESO’s latest official announcements and guidelines before making any decisions.

What Is PERKESO LINDUNG 24 Jam?

LINDUNG 24 Jam (Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja) is PERKESO’s Non-Work Related Accident Scheme.

Unlike the existing Employment Injury Scheme that mainly covers workplace and commuting accidents, LINDUNG 24 Jam protects employees against eligible accidents occurring outside working hours.

Examples include:

  • Slipping at home
  • Weekend sports injuries
  • Personal road accidents
  • Other eligible non-work-related accidents occurring within Malaysia

The scheme provides eligible employees with social security benefits including temporary disablement benefits, permanent disablement benefits, rehabilitation services, dependants’ benefits and other assistance under PERKESO’s regulations.

LINDUNG 24 Jam Became Voluntary for Malaysian Employees

Originally introduced on 1 June 2026, participation was mandatory.

However, following public feedback, the Cabinet announced on 8 July 2026 that participation for Malaysian employees would become voluntary.

PERKESO subsequently implemented an Opt-Out mechanism.

Foreign workers are NOT affected by this change.

Their participation remains mandatory under existing legislation.

The Most Important Date: 31 August 2026

One date every HR department and employee should remember is:

31 August 2026

This is the deadline for existing Malaysian employees who wish to leave the scheme.

If an employee wants to stop participating, an Opt-Out declaration must be submitted before 31 August 2026.

What Happens If You Don’t Opt-Out?

Many employees assume doing nothing simply means “I’ll decide later.”

Unfortunately, that’s not how the current rules work.

According to PERKESO’s latest FAQ, employees who do not submit an Opt-Out declaration by 31 August 2026 will continue participating in the scheme.

PERKESO also applies the principle of:

“Sekali Layak, Terus Layak”

(Once Eligible, Always Eligible)

This means employees who remain in the scheme after the Opt-Out period continue participating under the current rules.

In simple terms:

  • Didn’t Opt-Out before the deadline?
  • You continue participating in LINDUNG 24 Jam.

Can You Rejoin After Opting Out?

This was one of the biggest concerns raised by employees.

The answer is now:

Yes.

PERKESO’s latest Participation Form released on 16 July 2026 introduced a new option specifically for employees who wish to change from:

OPT-OUT → OPT-IN

The updated form contains the instruction:

“Required if changing from OPT-OUT to OPT-IN.”

This confirms that employees who previously opted out may subsequently apply to participate again.

Can You Opt-Out Again After Rejoining?

This is where many people misunderstand the rules.

According to PERKESO’s official FAQ, once an employee becomes eligible and participates under the principle of:

Sekali Layak, Terus Layak

the employee continues participating under the scheme.

Therefore, based on PERKESO’s current guidance:

If you:

  • previously Opt-Out
  • later submit an Opt-In application

you are treated as participating again under the current rules.

At present, PERKESO has not provided any mechanism allowing employees to Opt-Out again after rejoining.

If future policy changes are introduced, employers and employees should always refer to PERKESO’s latest official announcements.

Four Common Scenarios Explained

Scenario 1

You never submitted an Opt-Out.

Current status:

✅ Automatically participating.

Can you Opt-Out?

Yes — but only before 31 August 2026.

Scenario 2

You already Opted-Out.

Current status:

Not participating.

Can you join again?

Yes.

PERKESO’s latest participation form allows employees to change from:

OPT-OUT → OPT-IN.

Scenario 3

You Opted-Out and later decided to Opt-In.

Current status:

Participating again.

According to PERKESO’s current implementation of “Sekali Layak, Terus Layak,” employees who rejoin the scheme continue participating under the current rules, and no mechanism has been announced to Opt-Out again.

Scenario 4

You never Opted-Out before 31 August 2026.

Current status:

You continue participating in LINDUNG 24 Jam.

Under PERKESO’s current FAQ, employees who remain in the scheme continue participating based on the “Sekali Layak, Terus Layak” principle.

Updated Participation Form Introduces Employer Change Option

Besides the new Rejoin feature, PERKESO also updated the participation form to allow employees to change their contributing employer.

This applies in situations such as:

  • Changing jobs
  • Previous employer has closed down
  • Temporary period without salary (Dormant)
  • Moving to another employer

This helps ensure contributions continue under the correct employer.

 

What Should HR and Employers Do?

HR teams should:

  • Review whether employees wish to remain in the scheme.
  • Inform employees about the 31 August 2026 Opt-Out deadline.
  • Keep copies of all participation forms submitted.
  • Update payroll deductions based on approved participation status.
  • Monitor PERKESO announcements for future implementation changes.

Good documentation helps minimise payroll disputes and compliance issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is LINDUNG 24 Jam still mandatory?

For Malaysian employees, participation is voluntary. Foreign workers must still participate.

2. What is the Opt-Out deadline?

Existing Malaysian employees who wish to leave the scheme should submit their Opt-Out declaration by 31 August 2026, according to PERKESO’s current implementation timeline.

3. What happens if I do nothing?

You continue participating in the scheme. PERKESO’s FAQ states that participants are subject to the “Sekali Layak, Terus Layak” principle.

4. Can I rejoin after Opt-Out?

Yes. PERKESO’s updated participation form released on 16 July 2026 provides a specific option for changing from OPT-OUT to OPT-IN.

5. Can I Opt-Out again after rejoining?

Based on PERKESO’s current FAQ and implementation, no Opt-Out mechanism has been announced for employees who have rejoined under the “Sekali Layak, Terus Layak” principle.

6. Can I change my contributing employer?

Yes. The latest participation form allows employees to update their contributing employer in circumstances such as changing jobs, employer closure, or temporary dormant employment.