TIB's Fact
Finding Report (BAC) and Working Paper (IACC) - press coverage
1
Constitute independent anti-corruption body,
speakers at TI dialogue in city demand
The
Daily Star, 31 December 2001
Politicians, civil society members, academicians and representatives
of different professional bodies yesterday reached a consensus
that the country needs an independent anti-corruption commission
to establish rule of law and root out the widespread corruption
from society.
They also expressed the optimism that the government would move
a bill seeking setting up of such a commission, mandated like
the Election Commission by the Constitution, at the next session
of the Jatiya Sangsad.
They were speaking at a discussion meeting in the city, organised
by the Bangladesh chapter of Transparency International (TI).
The discussants also urged the political parties to work together
to wipe out corruption. They noted that almost all the major political
parties during campaigns in the last parliamentary election pledged
to set up an independent commission to combat corruption.
At the meeting, the TIB released a report on its findings on performance
of the Bureau of Anti-Corruption under the Prime Minister's Office
(PMO).
It also placed a structure of the proposed Independent Anti-Corruption
Commission (IACC), on which the speakers gave their views and
suggestions.
The report said, due to delay in getting permission from the PMO
for filing case, evidence is "often ruined", for which
action can not be taken against corruption. There are instances
that PMO's permission was available in nine years regarding three
complaints, in five years regarding one and in four years in case
of three complaints.
Its survey covered 31,746 complaints between 1994 and 2000.
The TI report said the average rate of "settlement"
of complaints is 41 per cent and that of pending complaints 59
per cent.
The TIB proposed that the IACC would be headed by a Chief Commissioner
and there would be two commissioners, all appointed by a Constitutional
Council comprising the President, Prime Minister, Leader of the
Opposition in Parliament, Speaker and the Chief Justice.
Presided over by Prof. Mozaffar Ahmed, member of the TI Bangladesh
chapter, the opening session was addressed by, among others, Dr
Kamal Hossain, economist Dr Atiur Rahman, advisors of the immediate
past caretaker government Hafizuddin Ahmed and SM Shahjahan, Chief
Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Opposition
Chief Whip Abdus Shahid, former chairman of the Public Accounts
Committee SM Akram, Jatiya Party MP Golam Mohammad Qader and former
cabinet secretary Mujibul Haque.
The opening session was followed by an open discussion. Journalist
Enaetullah Khan, former MP Sudhagsu Shekhor Halder, Dr KM Mohsin,
Dr. Syed Anam Hossain, Faruk Khan MP, Dr. Tareq Shamsur Rahman,
former director general of the Bureau of Anti-corruption Badiuzzaman
and Ashif Nazrul took part in the discussion.
The speakers admitted that people of higher stature are more involved
in corruption than the poor because they have no access to big
deals.
The corrupt people are becoming most influential in all areas
-- from politics to administration. "So, what benefit the
commonman will get from the corrupt persons?" questioned
many of the discussants.
The meeting however could not reach a consensus on the appointing
authority of the proposed commission.
Summing up the discussion, Prof Mozaffar Ahmed said the existing
Bureau of Anti-corruption can not make use of its full potency
due to lack of independence.
"The nation has been paying a lot due to dangerous corruption
that ruins the economy of the populous, small and poor country,"
said Ahmed who moderated the two sessions.
He termed corruption a "crime against humanity" and
identified this as one of the vital reasons for poverty. He said
the per capita income in the country could be doubled had there
been no corruption.
He said the commonman want a country free from corruption. "Where
there is no good governance, corruption is a must."
Urging members of the civil society to pressurise the government
to set up an independent commission, Ahmed said nothing will change
overnight, but "someone has to ring the bell first".
Dr Kamal Hossain said the proposed commission must be independent,
impartial and effective. Integrity of its members must be beyond
question.
Impediments to formation of the commission should be identified
and guidelines prepared to remove those, he said. He urged the
government to move a bill in parliament to set up such a commission.
Chief Whip Khandaker Delwar Hossain urged opposition Awami League
to join parliament sittings to work together to make the society
corruption-free by enacting "tough law".
The ruling party stalwart said people want tougher action against
corruption. "We, who are in higher posts in various responsibilities,
are mostly involved in corruption. The poor have no scope to be
involved in corruption," said the Chief Whip.
"Now, time has cone to conduct a survey to find out who is
not corrupt," he said adding, a movement against corruption
is needed.
He quoted a survey report which said 75 per cent of foreign aid
is misused. He expressed doubt whether the rest 25 cent benefits
the commonman.
Golam Mohammad Qader MP suggested that the judiciary be made accountable
to parliament. The opposition lawmaker also demanded appointment
of an Ombudsman.
Former Secretary Mujibul Haque said the President of the country
should be elected by elected representatives of local government
bodies and parliament members to ensure his neutrality. He also
suggested revision of the law on contempt of court.
Abu Baker Siddiq, Director of the Bureau of Anti-Corruption, mentioned
limitations of the bureau's activities and emphasised its empowerment
for smooth functioning.
Staff Correspondent
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