TIB's revised working paper on the structure of the proposed Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission- press coverage 1

The Independent, 23 september 2002

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has suggested setting up of an independent anti-corruption commission in the country to contain corruption.

A working paper on the formation of the proposed commission was revealed on the second day yesterday of the two-day national integrity workshop of TIB held at the CIRDAP auditorium here.

Presided over by Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid, chairman of TIB trustee board, the discussion on the issue was participated, among others, by former chief of caretaker government Justice Habibur Rahman, former cabinet secretary Mujibul Haq, former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru, journalist A Z M Enayetullah Khan, former director general of the Bureau of Anti-Corruption M Badiuzzaman and Dr Asif Nazrul.

Politicians, policy makers, researchers and members of civil society were present.

It was proposed that the commission would have one chairman and two members. Besides, there will be a constitutional body which will suggest the appointment of the chairman and members of the commission. President of the Republic will appoint the chairman and members of the commission for a period of five years and in the light of the suggestion of the constitutional body, the working paper said.

Former chief of the caretaker government Justice Habibur Rahman is opposed to the formation of constitutional body in the proposed commission. Constitution should not be brought in or involved in each and everything, he opined.

Former cabinet secretary Mujibul Haq expressed his disappointment at the proposal made by TIB on the formation of the commission. Mere change of name from bureau to commission would not solve the problem, Haq observed.

He said with the establishment of rule of law and building up an honest administration by the elected government would help reduce corruption in the country.

BSS Dhaka