KOTA KINABALU: The new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building in Sabah, located at Jalan Sepanggar here, has reached 90% completion and is expected to be ready by the end of this year.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman said the new facility will consolidate all the graft buster's Sabah personnel currently operating from three separate offices under one roof.
He said having a dedicated headquarters is important to strengthen the agency’s institutional standing and support its role as an independent and impartial enforcement body.
"This means we need to have our own building because it provides a solid platform for us to carry out our responsibilities and perform our duties as a truly independent and impartial institution,” he said in an interview after visiting the new office site at the Federal Government Administration Complex building here on Monday (June 15).
Also present was Sabah MACC director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah.
According to Halim, centralising operations will improve communication among officers and enhance coordination in operational, administrative and technical matters.
He also expressed appreciation to media organisations for their continued cooperation and balanced reporting on matters involving MACC.
He said the media’s role complements MACC’s efforts to strengthen integrity and support the nation’s aspiration towards being corruption-free.
At the same time, he reminded media practitioners to remain mindful when reporting cases by protecting the identity and dignity of third parties, particularly those involved in ongoing legal proceedings where guilt has not been proven.
"Avoid publishing images of suspects because they ... have not yet been convicted," he said.
He also urged journalists to practise responsible reporting by obtaining information from verified and legitimate sources to ensure accuracy and credibility.
This, he said, is important to avoid creating negative perceptions and prevent the spread of provocative or speculative reporting.
"Ensure that the news published is authentic and accurate. Do not allow it to become a source of speculation for any party. Make sure the information is genuine, true and verified," he said. – Bernama
