UPKO Youth urges MACC to walk the talk, boost monitoring for clean Sabah polls

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 3): The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) Youth has welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) statement that it will fully monitor the upcoming Sabah State Election.

However, UPKO National Youth chief Felix Joseph Saang said the MACC’s assurance must not remain mere words but be translated into firm and concrete action on the ground.

“Walk the talk — this statement by the MACC must become reality, not just words. The MACC must truly monitor all elements of corruption throughout the campaign period and on polling day,” he said in a statement on Monday.

He stressed that the public wants to see the MACC’s genuine commitment to ensuring the election process is transparent, fair, and free from corruption.

“The MACC must go to the ground to monitor all activities throughout the campaign period up to polling day, including any attempts to buy votes, offer political rewards, misuse government machinery, or engage in bribery that could influence voters’ decisions,” he said.

Felix also urged the commission to take firm action regardless of the position or political party involved in any wrongdoing during the state election.

“Only through bold and consistent action can the MACC restore public confidence that it is truly independent, has integrity, and is serious about eradicating corruption within the nation’s democratic process,” he added.

Felix, who is also the UPKO Beluran Division chief, proposed that the MACC increase the number of monitoring officers in each constituency for more comprehensive and effective surveillance.

“We urge the MACC to appoint at least 73 officers — one for each constituency in Sabah — instead of the 40 announced. Sabah’s constituencies are vast and challenging, requiring wider and more thorough oversight,” he said.

He reiterated that UPKO Youth will continue to support any enforcement agency, including the MACC, in ensuring that the Sabah State Election is conducted cleanly, transparently, and with integrity to restore public confidence in the nation’s democratic system.