Zakaria signing the visitors’ book during his visit to the Lahad Datu branch office of MACC at Jalan Hap Heng.
LAHAD DATU: The establishment of a branch in this district is seen as a catalyst in expanding the roles and responsibilities of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) in effort to combat and prevent corruption, abuse of power and misappropriation.
MACC deputy commissioner (management and professionalism), Dato’ Sri Zakaria Jaffar, said the branch office will act as platform to the local community in conveying information and complaints relating to corrupt activities.
“As one of developing district, especially in the farming and agricultural sector, certainly there will be people development projects that requires surveillance of government agencies, including MACC, to ensure it will be implemented according to the law. Apart from that, security issues have also become the main agenda in the administration of this district. There is no compromise on security matters. Therefore, security and enforcement personnel should show high integrity and not be involved in corrupt activities,” he said in his speech when launching the third MACC branch in Sabah at Lahad Datu, yesterday.
Zakaria also stressed that the responsibility to combat and prevent corrupt practices are shared responsibilities that include the politicians, government and non-governmental agencies, community leaders and the community as well.
He said that all parties should act as the eyes and ears of MACC in conveying information and providing full cooperation to MACC to ensure the effort to combat and prevent corruption, abuse of power and misappropriation is fruitful.
“If there is any information, convey it to the MACC. Do not cooperate with the offenders but cooperate with MACC. As example, the issue of combating illegal immigrant can be resolved if there is cooperation among all parties, the people need to think pf the long-term effects on the economy and social state,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sabah MACC director, Dato’ Hishamuddin Hashim, said during the period from 2010 to 2015, a total of 160 information leads was received in Lahad Datu, of which a total of 19 investigation papers were opened leading to 16 arrests.
He said, based on the statistics, it clearly demonstrate the existence of public concern to curb acts of corruption, abuse of power and misappropriation in this district. He also expressed the hope that the MACC branch in Lahad Datu will be able to strengthen the quality of the work of the MACC.
Also present were MACC director of management services and human resources, Pauzan Ahmar, director of security, Alias Salim, director of finance, accounts and development, Mohd Kamal Husin, Tawau and Sandakan MACC branch head, district officer, Iman Ali, district police chief and ACP Hamzah Ahmad.