The new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Sabah is nearing completion, with work progressing to schedule. Located at Jalan Sepanggar in Kota Kinabalu, the facility has achieved 90 per cent completion and is slated to open by the end of 2024.
MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman emphasized the strategic importance of the dedicated building. Currently, Sabah's MACC operations are scattered across three separate offices, a situation that has constrained the agency's effectiveness. Consolidating staff under one roof will reinforce MACC's standing as an independent and impartial enforcement institution.
Unifying the workforce at a single headquarters will facilitate better communication among officers and strengthen coordination across operational, administrative and technical divisions, Abd Halim explained during a visit to the existing Federal Government Administration Complex Building office. Sabah MACC Director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah also attended.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, Abd Halim took the opportunity to address media responsibility. He commended news organisations for their balanced coverage of MACC matters and their collaboration in promoting integrity. However, he urged journalists to exercise caution when reporting on suspects and individuals involved in ongoing legal cases, stressing the importance of protecting dignity and presumption of innocence.
Abd Halim advocated for verification standards in reporting, urging practitioners to rely only on credible sources and avoid speculation. He warned against publishing suspect photographs and cautioned against sensationalism that could damage reputations or mislead the public. Accuracy and authentication of information, he stressed, remain essential to maintaining public trust and preventing misinformation.
