MACC Sabah Proposes Governance Reforms for Rural Housing Programme

23 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah has proposed a series of governance improvements to the Sabah Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) following findings that some Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (RMSMJ) houses were left unoccupied after completion.

MACC Sabah presented five recommendations aimed at strengthening oversight and accountability in the implementation of the RMSMJ programme.

Among the key proposals is a refinement of recipient eligibility criteria, including a requirement that applicants be the Head of Household. Approved recipients who previously owned dilapidated homes would also be required to demolish the old structures once the new houses are completed.

In addition, applications would not be approved for individuals with a source of income, and the transfer of ownership of RMSMJ houses to third parties would be prohibited, except in cases where the Head of Household has passed away, in which event ownership may be transferred to the legal heir.

MACC Sabah also proposed the establishment of a monitoring mechanism before, during and after the construction of RMSMJ houses, as well as the introduction of a standardised application form.

The commission further recommended the inclusion of a reminder clause under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 in the application form, and the provision of briefings to all parties involved to enhance understanding of the programme’s guidelines.

The recommendations were formulated following preliminary investigations by MACC Sabah, which found that some beneficiaries of the housing assistance programme did not reside in the houses provided and had instead rented them out to others.

The proposals were presented by the Director of MACC Sabah, Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah, to the Ministry and were received positively by the Permanent Secretary of the Sabah Ministry of Rural Development, Datuk Myrna Jimenez, during a presentation held at the Ministry’s office here yesterday.

Myrna welcomed the recommendations and said the Ministry would take steps to address the weaknesses highlighted by MACC Sabah.

Also present at the session were the Head of the MACC Sabah Governance Investigation Branch, Hamsia Abdul Ham, and a representative from the Sabah State Integrity and Governance Division, Mohd Jamri Ag Damit.