Kota Kinabalu: The public must be more aware and inclined to adopt values and a culture that reject corruption, while understanding the dangers it poses and gaining some knowledge of the role of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Sabah MACC Director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah said the trend lately has been for accusations and sensational issues to be exaggerated on social media.
“As a professional agency, we view this as a challenge in our efforts to strengthen the fight against corruption in the state,” he said.
He added that many development projects in Sabah could bring great benefits if implemented properly and transparently, allowing the people to enjoy progress on par with other states.
“We must all work together to ensure development in this state remains free from elements of corruption, abuse of power, and leakage,” he stressed.
Mohd Fuad explained that the MACC is responsible only for investigations, while prosecutions are under another authority’s jurisdiction, with case outcomes determined by the courts.
“This is a fact that many still misunderstand. Our hope is to see Sabah remain a controlled and transparent state through enforcement actions and preventive initiatives,” he said.
He made the remarks during a courtesy visit by the Sabah Anti-Corruption Advocacy Organisation (SAC) to the MACC Sabah Director’s Office on Wednesday.
Also present were MACC Sabah Deputy Director of Prevention Alexander S. Kunghi, Head of State Investigation Datu Robbyie Shym Datu Pindatun, and SAC Chairman Abidin Mohd Alam.
Mohd Fuad welcomed SAC’s inaugural visit, saying that cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can help advance MACC’s objectives through advocacy and awareness programmes.
Meanwhile, Abidin said SAC’s visit aimed to strengthen strategic relations and explore collaboration opportunities in implementing anti-corruption advocacy programmes throughout Sabah.
He said SAC was officially approved by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on July 21, 2025.
“Our hope is that this organisation can help support the government’s anti-corruption agenda and raise awareness among all levels of society,” he said.
