Bangladesh News

The government’s anti-corruption drive has not progressed as expected due to lack of experience and poor coordination and understanding among those involved in the process, said Maj Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury, chief of the National Coordination Committee on Combating Corruption and Crime.

“Many of us involved in the process of inquiry and investigation lack experience. This is why we have decided to introduce a training programme for them,” said Masud, also general officer commanding of Nine Division of the army.

He was talking to the press yesterday following a meeting with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) at its office on the progress of the ongoing drive.

“The task force members (under the coordination committee) from the army, navy and air force also do not have that kind of experience in investigations. This has specially affected the pace of progress of investigations,” Masud noted.

The coordination committee has been working and assisting the ACC for two months. In some cases, there should have been more coordination and understanding, he said.

The government in early February formed 40 task forces in Dhaka alone under the coordination committee to probe allegations of graft. The task forces comprise both civil and military officials.

“We are dealing with high profile people, many of whom were involved in corporate corruption.

To tell you the truth, none of our departments has any experience of (probing) corporate corruption,” the general pointed out.

“Today’s (Wednesday) meeting discussed these matters.”

Explaining the situation, Masud said, “For example, National Board of Revenue (NBR) has not perhaps filed any case against a tax evader. This kind of lacking is there for all of us.”

At yesterday’s meeting, he also explained the method of work of the taskforces. “We discussed how to produce visible actions by overcoming our problems.”

Asked why the authorities had arrested former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman and then released him after one day, Masud said, ” Communications adviser has already clarified that he was asked to answer some questions. He was sent back after interrogation.”

In reply to a question if this (Arafat’s release) means there is no allegation of corruption against him, the general said, “As far as I can recall, communications adviser said there are some allegations. Those arrested earlier had named him during interrogations. For this reason, he (Arafat) was asked questions. But till now, this case has not come to our task force. So, I cannot really comment on that.”

He evaded a reply when asked about restriction on Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina’s return home.