Political will a must to rein in corruption, say speakers
Monday, 2 April 2012
Describing the public sector as the birthplace of corruption, speakers including prominent personalities, academics and civil society members, told a seminar Sunday that a strong political will is needed to combat the all-pervasive menace, reports UNB.
They said corruption hardly occurs without the support from political parties, and if the malpractice by ministers and bureaucrats cannot be reined in, it is impossible to combat the cancerous problem.
Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) organised the seminar, 'The Role of Mass Media and Civil Society in Implementing the Political Pledges to Combat Corruption', at its office in the city.
Chaired by ACC chairman Golam Rahman, the seminar was addressed, among others, by former chief justice and former chief adviser to caretaker government Mohammad Habibur Rahman, advocate M Fazle Rabbi, MP, eminent economist Prof Muzaffar Ahmed, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, MP, Workers' Party president Rashed Khan Menon, MP, BNP leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, secretary of Shujan Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Iftekharuzzaman and president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad.
Former governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Mohammed Farashuddin presented the keynote paper at the seminar.
Speaking as the chief guest, former caretaker adviser Habibur Rahman said corruption has engulfed all spheres of society. "It's (corruption) now reaching such a level which was unthinkable in the past…teachers are taking class at private universities. Students have to bribe for admission."
About the adverse impacts of corruption, he said people are getting deprived of their equal rights and justice due to widespread irregularities.
Criticising the ACC for its delay in dealing with graft cases, Habibur Rahman said only two graft cases have so far been disposed of although a good number of corruption cases have been filed since 1991.
He said it is essential to submit wealth statements by government officials to combat corruption in government offices. "Corrupt people are not only clever, but also intelligent."
About corruption in businesses, the former chief adviser said corruption is also there in export and import of goods, which remain out of surveillance. "So, the government is getting deprived of huge revenues."
ACC chairman Golam Rahman said the ACC will remain a toothless tiger until the unusual judicial delay in disposing of cases is removed.
About the limitation of the ACC, he said the commission has no legal jurisdiction to investigate corruption in the private sector. "So, I think, the ACC has no authority to investigate the share market scam," he added.
He urged the government to take effective steps to remove the scopes of corruption in all sectors.
Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud said the government must take steps to combat corruption at top level if it wants to combat corruption.
Criticising foreign development partners, he said, "Foreign aid agencies have exported corruption to our country by tagging illegal conditions with their aid."
Dr Moyeen Khan said the public sector is the birthplace of corruption and a nexus of bureaucrats, businessmen and politicians have indulged in corruption. "The existing systems are behind the corruption. The system should be recast so that no one can get the scope of indulging corruption," he said.
Rashed Khan Menon said it will be impossible to combat corruption if a strong anti-corruption law is not enacted removing all the barriers.
They said corruption hardly occurs without the support from political parties, and if the malpractice by ministers and bureaucrats cannot be reined in, it is impossible to combat the cancerous problem.
Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) organised the seminar, 'The Role of Mass Media and Civil Society in Implementing the Political Pledges to Combat Corruption', at its office in the city.
Chaired by ACC chairman Golam Rahman, the seminar was addressed, among others, by former chief justice and former chief adviser to caretaker government Mohammad Habibur Rahman, advocate M Fazle Rabbi, MP, eminent economist Prof Muzaffar Ahmed, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, MP, Workers' Party president Rashed Khan Menon, MP, BNP leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, secretary of Shujan Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Iftekharuzzaman and president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad.
Former governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Mohammed Farashuddin presented the keynote paper at the seminar.
Speaking as the chief guest, former caretaker adviser Habibur Rahman said corruption has engulfed all spheres of society. "It's (corruption) now reaching such a level which was unthinkable in the past…teachers are taking class at private universities. Students have to bribe for admission."
About the adverse impacts of corruption, he said people are getting deprived of their equal rights and justice due to widespread irregularities.
Criticising the ACC for its delay in dealing with graft cases, Habibur Rahman said only two graft cases have so far been disposed of although a good number of corruption cases have been filed since 1991.
He said it is essential to submit wealth statements by government officials to combat corruption in government offices. "Corrupt people are not only clever, but also intelligent."
About corruption in businesses, the former chief adviser said corruption is also there in export and import of goods, which remain out of surveillance. "So, the government is getting deprived of huge revenues."
ACC chairman Golam Rahman said the ACC will remain a toothless tiger until the unusual judicial delay in disposing of cases is removed.
About the limitation of the ACC, he said the commission has no legal jurisdiction to investigate corruption in the private sector. "So, I think, the ACC has no authority to investigate the share market scam," he added.
He urged the government to take effective steps to remove the scopes of corruption in all sectors.
Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud said the government must take steps to combat corruption at top level if it wants to combat corruption.
Criticising foreign development partners, he said, "Foreign aid agencies have exported corruption to our country by tagging illegal conditions with their aid."
Dr Moyeen Khan said the public sector is the birthplace of corruption and a nexus of bureaucrats, businessmen and politicians have indulged in corruption. "The existing systems are behind the corruption. The system should be recast so that no one can get the scope of indulging corruption," he said.
Rashed Khan Menon said it will be impossible to combat corruption if a strong anti-corruption law is not enacted removing all the barriers.