The social security protection ecosystem must be future-ready to address labour market dynamics, demographic pressures and various economic shocks at both global and domestic levels.
Chairman of the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Board, Dato' Sri Subahan Kamal, said this reality justifies why every social security policy to be formulated is underpinned by latest data and projections, as well as scientific research evidence and field verification.
He said this strategic approach can be realised through collaborative ties with academic institutions, thereby ensuring that policies are able to benefit target groups according to current needs.
In this regard, he explained that PERKESO's renewed strategic collaboration with the Social Wellbeing Research Centre (SWRC) of Universiti Malaya would focus on three key strategies involving research, policy development, as well as capacity building and advocacy.
"First, by investing in our workforce to build capabilities, we are ready to face the future, thereby enabling PERKESO to respond effectively to emerging social protection challenges.
"Second, by advancing evidence-based research to support policy development, improve programme evaluation, and drive institutional innovation.
"Third, by strengthening advocacy to promote greater public awareness of social security, encourage wider participation, and foster stronger confidence in Malaysia's social protection system," he said.
He said this in his speech at the Exchange of Strategic Collaboration Agreement Ceremony between PERKESO and Universiti Malaya's SWRC, held at Universiti Malaya today.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Chairman of the PERKESO Board, Dato' Sri Subahan Kamal; the Chairman of UM's Board of Directors, Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar; PERKESO Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed; UM Vice-Chancellor, Dato' Seri Professor Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman; as well as SWRC Director Professor Emeritus Datuk Norma Mansor.
The collaboration which will run from 2026 to 2030, will bring together PERKESO's strength in field experience with SWRC's academic and research expertise to develop more progressive social protection policies that are responsive to the actual needs of the people.
He added that the collaboration also continues the partnership sealed in 2021, which has produced 35 research projects, 48 publications, and 36 seminars and media engagements, with more than 360 PERKESO officers having enhanced their competencies through professional certification programmes.
"Such collaboration is becoming increasingly important amid demographic changes, technological advancement, the emergence of new forms of employment, and labour market dynamics that continue to reshape the social protection system.
"Social protection today is no longer viewed merely as a social policy. It has become an important driver of economic resilience, workforce productivity, inclusiveness and national development," he said.
Meanwhile, from SWRC's perspective, the renewed collaboration will continue to strengthen its role in producing various evidence-based research on social protection, ageing, labour market dynamics, disability management, poverty and inclusive development.
SWRC also collaborates with government agencies and other stakeholders in translating research findings into knowledge and policies that can support national development.
As a leading research university in Malaysia, Universiti Malaya remains committed to forming strategic partnerships aimed at producing high-impact research, contributing to public policy, and bringing significant meaning to national development.
In addition, PERKESO and SWRC believe that the renewed collaboration will strengthen interdisciplinary research, policy innovation, stakeholder engagement and knowledge-sharing, with the primary goal of supporting a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable social protection system for the people of Malaysia.
EKOSISTEM PERLINDUNGAN SOSIAL PERLU KALIS MASA DEPAN, KUKUH BERDEPAN DINAMIKA PASARAN BURUH
Ekosistem jaringan perlindungan keselamatan sosial perlu bersifat kalis masa depan bagi mendepani dinamika pasaran buruh, tekanan demografi dan pelbagai kejutan ekonomi di peringkat global serta domestik.
Pengerusi Lembaga Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO), Dato’ Sri Subahan Kamal berkata, hakikat sedemikian mewajarkan supaya setiap dasar berkaitan keselamatan sosial yang bakal digubal harus bersandarkan data terkini dan unjuran, selain bukti kajian saintifik serta pengesahan di lapangan.
Katanya, pendekatan strategik itu berupaya direalisasikan menerusi jalinan kerjasama dengan institusi akademik, sekali gus memastikan segenap dasar mampu memanfaatkan golongan sasar mengikut keperluan semasa.
Sehubungan itu, beliau menjelaskan, kerjasama strategik yang diperbaharui PERKESO dengan Social Wellbeing Research Centre (SWRC) dari Universiti Malaya bakal memberi penekanan kepada tiga strategi utama membabitkan penyelidikan, pembangunan dasar serta pembinaan kapasiti dan advokasi.
“Pertama, dengan melabur dalam tenaga kerja kami untuk membangunkan keupayaan supaya bersedia menghadapi masa hadapan, seterusnya membolehkan PERKESO bertindak balas secara efektif terhadap cabaran perlindungan sosial yang muncul.
“Kedua, dengan memajukan penyelidikan berasaskan bukti bagi menyokong pembangunan dasar, menambah baik penilaian program, dan memacu inovasi institusi.
“Ketiga, dengan memperkukuh advokasi bagi mempromosikan kesedaran awam yang lebih tinggi terhadap keselamatan sosial, menggalakkan penyertaan yang lebih luas, serta memupuk keyakinan yang lebih kukuh terhadap sistem perlindungan sosial Malaysia,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada Majlis Pertukaran Perjanjian Kerjasama Strategik antara PERKESO dan SWRC Universiti Malaya (UM) yang berlangsung di Universiti Malaya, hari ini.
Majlis berkenaan disaksikan Pengerusi Lembaga PERKESO, Dato’ Sri Subahan Kamal; Pengerusi Lembaga Pengarah UM, Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar; Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan PERKESO, Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed; Naib Canselor UM, Dato’ Seri Profesor Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman; serta Pengarah SWRC, Profesor Emeritus Datuk Norma Mansor.
Kerjasama bagi tempoh 2026 hingga 2030 itu bakal mempertemukan kekuatan pengalaman lapangan PERKESO dengan kepakaran akademik dan penyelidikan SWRC dalam usaha membangunkan dasar keselamatan sosial yang lebih progresif, berasaskan responsif terhadap keperluan sebenar rakyat.
Tambah Subahan, kerjasama itu juga meneruskan kolaborasi yang dimeterai pada 2021, yang telah menghasilkan 35 projek penyelidikan, 48 penerbitan serta 36 seminar dan penglibatan media, bahkan lebih 360 pegawai PERKESO turut meningkatkan kompetensi mereka menerusi program pensijilan profesional.
”Kerjasama sebegini semakin penting berikutan perubahan demografi, kemajuan teknologi, kemunculan bentuk pekerjaan baharu serta dinamik pasaran buruh yang terus membentuk semula sistem perlindungan sosial.
“Perlindungan sosial hari ini tidak lagi dilihat semata-mata sebagai dasar sosial. Ia telah menjadi pemacu penting kepada daya tahan ekonomi, produktiviti tenaga kerja, keterangkuman dan pembangunan negara,” katanya.
Sementara itu, dari perspektif SWRC pula, pembaharuan kerjasama itu akan terus memperkukuh peranannya dalam menghasilkan pelbagai penyelidikan berasaskan bukti berkaitan perlindungan sosial, penuaan, dinamika pasaran buruh, pengurusan orang kurang upaya, kemiskinan dan pembangunan inklusif.
SWRC turut bekerjasama dengan agensi kerajaan dan pemegang taruh lain dalam menterjemahkan hasil penyelidikan kepada pengetahuan serta dasar yang dapat menyokong pembangunan negara.
Sebagai universiti penyelidikan terkemuka di Malaysia, Universiti Malaya kekal komited dalam membentuk perkongsian strategik, bertujuan menghasilkan penyelidikan berimpak tinggi, menyumbang kepada dasar awam, dan membawa makna penting kepada pembangunan negara.
Dalam pada itu, PERKESO dan SWRC berpandangan pembaharuan kerjasama itu akan memperkukuh penyelidikan antara disiplin (interdisciplinary research), inovasi dasar, penglibatan pemegang taruh serta perkongsian ilmu, dengan matlamat utama menyokong sistem perlindungan sosial yang lebih inklusif, berdaya tahan dan mampan untuk rakyat Malaysia.