It depends on their strength of mind: ACC chairman
Friday, 3 August 2007
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury Thursday said that if the advisers of the caretaker government have the strength of mind, there would be no problem for them to submit their wealth statements, reports UNB.
"I've no reason to ask. If they think their acceptability will increase (with submission of wealth statements) or there is no need at the moment… solely depends on their good intention," he said at a press conference.
The ACC chairman was replying to a question if he would ask the advisers to submit their wealth statements.
His comment was also sought in regard to the public perception at the moment that the advisers of the caretaker government should submit their wealth statements.
"I've given mine (wealth statement). Let them take their decision," Mashhud said. "I think, if I tell this it will be an audacity… there will be a scope for misunderstanding. It will be better if they themselves take the decision. There will be no problem if they have the strength of mind."
Replying to a query about the submission of wealth statement by the two ACC commissioners and the secretary, he pointed at the secretary sitting next to him and said that he (secretary) provided the wealth statement right after joining and those who join next would also submit such statements.
"I've no intention to ask for (wealth) statements by force. It will be welcomed if anyone does so willingly. (But) we will ask, if needed," said the ACC chairman.
About the legal notice sent by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina questioning the legality of the ACC notice asking her to submit wealth statement, he said they are considering it and the Commission would sit at the first opportunity to do what is needed in accordance with law.
"There is no cause for being concerned or encouraged. It's a legal matter and it will be fought legally."
Mashhud categorically said the Commission is working in the right way in this regard. "It's nothing new. So far, the Commission has sought wealth statements from about 200 individuals. The Commission has the power."
He said that upon the direction, deputy directors and above might seek wealth statements. In this regard, he mentioned section 18 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2004 and section 18 of the Anti-Corruption Rules, 2007 under which Hasina was directed to submit wealth statement.
"It's a matter of law…Everyone can ask questions and issue legal notice," the ACC chairman said.
Replying to a question, he said, "You, people and we can understand what does it mean when any individual follows this path by not submitting the wealth statement in response to our notice. It's not a problem. We only need the truth."
Asked what would happen if Hasina does not submit wealth statement by August 8, he said, "We will have to wait until August 8."
To a query about not issuing notices to the 'reformists', he said, "Let one thing be clear… the ACC will not be involved with politics at least as long as I am here, no way."
He told another questioner that names and numbers are not important at all. "The important thing is if they (reformists) were involved with corruption. It's not possible to work on more than a certain number at a time. We will not target any specific individual," he said.
Asked to comment about the suggestion that the ACC issues notices after the individuals are arrested, he said the Commission would work as per section 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2004.
"I've no reason to ask. If they think their acceptability will increase (with submission of wealth statements) or there is no need at the moment… solely depends on their good intention," he said at a press conference.
The ACC chairman was replying to a question if he would ask the advisers to submit their wealth statements.
His comment was also sought in regard to the public perception at the moment that the advisers of the caretaker government should submit their wealth statements.
"I've given mine (wealth statement). Let them take their decision," Mashhud said. "I think, if I tell this it will be an audacity… there will be a scope for misunderstanding. It will be better if they themselves take the decision. There will be no problem if they have the strength of mind."
Replying to a query about the submission of wealth statement by the two ACC commissioners and the secretary, he pointed at the secretary sitting next to him and said that he (secretary) provided the wealth statement right after joining and those who join next would also submit such statements.
"I've no intention to ask for (wealth) statements by force. It will be welcomed if anyone does so willingly. (But) we will ask, if needed," said the ACC chairman.
About the legal notice sent by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina questioning the legality of the ACC notice asking her to submit wealth statement, he said they are considering it and the Commission would sit at the first opportunity to do what is needed in accordance with law.
"There is no cause for being concerned or encouraged. It's a legal matter and it will be fought legally."
Mashhud categorically said the Commission is working in the right way in this regard. "It's nothing new. So far, the Commission has sought wealth statements from about 200 individuals. The Commission has the power."
He said that upon the direction, deputy directors and above might seek wealth statements. In this regard, he mentioned section 18 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2004 and section 18 of the Anti-Corruption Rules, 2007 under which Hasina was directed to submit wealth statement.
"It's a matter of law…Everyone can ask questions and issue legal notice," the ACC chairman said.
Replying to a question, he said, "You, people and we can understand what does it mean when any individual follows this path by not submitting the wealth statement in response to our notice. It's not a problem. We only need the truth."
Asked what would happen if Hasina does not submit wealth statement by August 8, he said, "We will have to wait until August 8."
To a query about not issuing notices to the 'reformists', he said, "Let one thing be clear… the ACC will not be involved with politics at least as long as I am here, no way."
He told another questioner that names and numbers are not important at all. "The important thing is if they (reformists) were involved with corruption. It's not possible to work on more than a certain number at a time. We will not target any specific individual," he said.
Asked to comment about the suggestion that the ACC issues notices after the individuals are arrested, he said the Commission would work as per section 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2004.