Edn minister draws flak from TIB for 'bribery advice'

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned the statement recently made by the education minister, in which he advised officials to take bribe at a 'tolerable limit'.

The minister's statement acknowledging him as corrupt could be a testimony to his boldness, the TIB said, adding that at the same time the minister might set an example of his honest courage by quitting his existing position from an ethical perspective.

The Bangladesh chapter of Berlin-based international agency came up with the reaction through a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the reports published by several print and electronic media, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid advised officials of his ministry at a programme held on Sunday to take bribe at a 'tolerable limit'.

At one point of his speech, he commented that all of his colleagues at the cabinet division along with government officials are corrupt.

Through the TIB statement, its executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman expressed deep concern over such statement made by a minister.

"The minister's speech is not only a cause of anxiety to the nation, but also a reflection of his own confusion and frustration," he said.

He also said the way the education minister attempted to portray all ministers and government employees as corrupt in general is neither practical nor acceptable.

"Such addressing of all cabinet members including himself as corrupt at an open function created confusion among public about the government," he said.

Mentioning the government's strong position against corruption and bribery in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and development action plan, the TIB statement said: "Such statement from a sensitive ministry like the ministry of education, which is dedicated to constructing the nation's future, is no way tolerable".

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