MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the team consists of about 40 officers from the commission’s headquarters, who will strengthen on-the-ground monitoring efforts throughout the election period, reported Bernama.
“We are ready and have already set up a team in Sabah.
“I have also deployed officers from the headquarters to oversee the election process to ensure it proceeds without any abuse of power, corruption or fraud.
“Sabah is a vast state with many areas requiring close attention, which is why this team was formed.
“We have also implemented a monitoring system to facilitate supervision in all affected constituencies,” he told reporters after an anti-corruption event at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu.
Azam said an election operations room will be opened in Kota Kinabalu, as the main operations centre, before expanding to other districts.
He added that the MACC is working closely with the police to ensure compliance with the Election Offences Act 1954.
“It should be noted that enforcement of the Election Offences Act 1954 is not limited to the MACC as the police also have jurisdiction in this area. Therefore, cooperation between both agencies is essential,” he said.
The Election Commission has set Nov 15 for nomination day, Nov 25 for early voting and Nov 29 as polling day.
Meeting with social media companies on ‘false content’
Meanwhile, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had been directed to hold discussions with the police and the Election Commission to coordinate enforcement measures against the spread of false information ahead of the state election.
He said complaints have already been received regarding the circulation of fake photos and posters of election candidates, even though the official election period is only expected to begin next month.
“Therefore, firm action must be taken,” he said after attending an event in Kuala Lumpur today.
Fahmi said a meeting with social media companies would also be held next week to ensure prompt action is taken on false or misleading content, particularly that which could compromise the integrity of the election process.
He said this initiative is not politically motivated but rather aimed at ensuring the election runs smoothly and fairly for all parties.