Trackback URL
Download PDF Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed has sought the international community’s support for Bangladesh to recover the ill-gotten gains from corruption remaining abroad.
“Democracy itself has been the victim of this corrupt culture. Politicians, businessmen and even civil servants are often the perpetrators, secured by their immunity within the system. It is imperative that we free the country from corruption,” he said while delivering a lecture at Asia Society on Thursday.
Fakhruddin who is here to attend to the UN General Assembly session said corruption has seriously constrained Bangladesh’s true economic growth potential, and its ill effects have corroded vital public institutions.
The chief advisor said for any democracy to sustain and deliver, there must be a corps of dedicated and talented bureaucrats free from political interference and bias.
But, he regretted that over the years bureaucracy in Bangladesh became tainted and political expediency became the norm of the day. Even the Public Service Commission, a constitutional body of the state, was not spared.
“The influence of black money and muscle has eroded public confidence in the system of governance,” he said, adding that his administration has considered it an utmost priority to strengthen the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to enable it to root out corruption.
The chief adviser said many corrupt individuals are now being prosecuted under the law of the land after strengthening the ACC.
“We hope the international community will lend its full support to Bangladesh in its efforts to recover the ill-gotten gains from corruption remaining abroad,” he said.
President of the Asia Society Mrs Vishakha N Desai presided over the function styled as conversation with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed on “Democratic Institution Building in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities”.
A number of Bangladeshi expatriates living in the USA and foreign nationals questioned the chief adviser regarding politics, corruption, election, army’s role in the government and press freedom. The programme continued for an hour from 7:00pm (local time).
About army’s involvement in the government, the chief adviser said present government is a constitutional government and assumed the office by taking oath in accordance with the constitution.
He said army is assisting the government in improving law and order, anti-corruption drive, facing natural calamities like flood and relief and rehabilitation works. He said, obviously, army is part of the government.
Replying to a question, the head of the caretaker government said the situation in Bangladesh and Pakistan is not the same. Press freedom exists in Bangladesh and media is working as linkage between the people and the government.
To another question, he said all advisers to the caretaker government are working unitedly with a common philosophy to establish genuine democracy in the country and give firm foundations to independent institutions.
The chief adviser said they are trying to break vicious cycle of corruption so one does not need black money to contest the election and honest, dedicated and competent person feel encouraged contesting.
He said if the ongoing anti-corruption drive becomes successful, it will send strong signal, which will ultimately break down the cycle of corruption.
Replying to a question, Fakhruddin said no one is above law but every body will get access to due process of law of the land.
To another question, he said he will be proud if his government can present a free, fair election acceptable to the people at home and abroad. But, he will be worried if the process of institutional reforms cannot complete successfully.
About the general election, the chief adviser said the Election Commission has already announced a complete roadmap towards that end, and the caretaker government will do everything to ensure that this goal is achieved.
About establishment of a competent administration, he said as far as civil servants are concerned, his government has emphasised high moral and performance standards “where there is no room for the incompetent and the corrupt.”
He said, “We hope to leave a healthy legacy so that all democratically elected governments in the future will understand that the civil service cannot be used as a political tool.”
He said a bureaucracy that is accountable to the people through its transparent public actions, is of paramount importance for a sustainable democracy.
He also told the discussion that the caretaker government is seriously working to separate the judiciary from the executive and set up a national human rights commission.
The caretaker government, he said, believes in free flow of information as vital for any functioning democracy. He said the government is pursuing a right to information Act, which he hoped would substantively transform the political and democratic landscape of Bangladesh.
About religious extremism, he said Bangladesh has categorically rejected those who use the name of Islam to unleash terror, whether at home or abroad.
He said a significant number of extremists have already been handed down punishment and others are facing trial.
The chief adviser hoped that the next elected government would continue with the efforts initiated by the present caretaker government towards sustaining and strengthening democracy in Bangladesh
Comments are not moderated and only expresses personal views of visitors. BangladeshNews.com.bd is not responsible for commets posted by visitors.
Leave a Reply