Whoever corrupt getting caught
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government launched a massive anti-graft campaign ignoring the backgrounds of the suspects.
Speaking at a press conference at the Gono Bhaban, she brushed off the BNP’s suspicions that the drive was an “eyewash”.
The PM urged the people to wait to see the fate of the suspects. “Let’s wait and see whether it is an eyewash or not.”
Hasina said it was rather the BNP which knew the “business of eyewash” well as the party adopted “corruption” as part of its policy.
The press conference was organised to brief the media about her recent visit to Azerbaijan where she joined the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The premier said actions were underway against the corrupts linked to her own party, Awami League.
Hasina said the drive would continue and actions would be taken against several BNP leaders on charges of committing crimes, including corruption, arson attack, murder and money laundering.
“All of them will be exposed to justice in phases... there’s no doubt about it. But we’ll have to wait for some time to see that happen.”
Asked if she feared any backlash as the anti-corruption drive was underway, the premier said her dictionary did not contain the word “fear”.
“I wouldn’t have started the drive against corruption if I was afraid... I am not a person to be scared of anything.”
Hasina said her political background and commitment prompted her to launch the campaign.
Asked if the corrupts beyond the political arena would also be brought to justice, she said suspects were not being arrested based on any criteria.
Regarding the ICC’s possible ban on Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, the PM said the BCB would remain beside Shakib and extend all possible cooperation to him.
“The bookies usually communicate with the cricketers. But he [Shakib] didn’t give much importance when the bookie contacted him. He even didn’t inform the ICC [International Cricket Council] of it. He should have informed the ICC instantly and he committed a mistake. If ICC takes any step, there is nothing much we can do,” she added.
About the recent strike by cricketers, Hasina said that “chapter” has already been closed and the problem did not exist now.
“There are a very few countries who support their players the way we support ours,” the PM said, adding that the cricketers could have informed the BCB about their demands before calling for a sudden strike.
ONION CRISIS
Responding to a question about the soaring onion prices, the PM said the crisis was temporary and there was nothing to be worried about.
The PM said 55,000 tonnes of onion was entering the country. She said some food can be cooked without onion and many items were cooked at her residence without using onion.
Hasina also cautioned that those who were trying to put the government in an uncomfortable position through hoarding onion would not gain much as onion is a perishable item.
Talking about some recent comments by Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, the PM said being a local MP, he was earlier made the chief of a sporting club in the capital and a casino was being operated there.
She said although Menon made the comments on the last general elections at a function in Barishal, the fact is that he was also elected in that polls and his victory can be questioned for his comments.
Hasina said had the people not voted the AL to power again, the BNP could have waged a movement. “But they [BNP] couldn’t do anything.”
NUSRAT MURDER
The PM said Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi was a “very brave” girl as she protested and could give her testimony before her death. The testimony was considered as an important evidence in the trial of her killers, she added.
The premier highly praised the media for building a strong consensus among the people over giving exemplary punishment to the killers and thus doing justice to Nusrat’s family members.
Citing that the trial of Nusrat murder case is an “example” before the nation, Hasina said steps would be taken so that such cases were disposed of in a speedy manner.
Replying to another question, the PM said it was not possible to give a specific timeframe as to when the work of the Padma bridge project would be completed.
EXTRADITION OF BANGABANDHU KILLERS
Hasina said efforts were underway to bring back the rest of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She said she had handed over a letter to US President Donald Trump about the extradition of one of the fugitive killers, Rashed Chowdhury.
Besides, initiatives have been taken to bring back another killer Noor Chowdhury from Canada, she added.
“But the problem is that there is no provision of death sentence in many countries of the world and the killers are taking advantage of it.”
The PM hoped that the government would be able to bring back the rest of the killers like it did in the cases of Bazlul Huda and Mohiuddin, who were deported from Thailand and the USA respectively and later executed.
NAM NOT A ‘DEAD HORSE’
Speaking about the NAM, the premier said the forum is not a “dead horse” and it is still active. She said Bangladesh still has the ability to hold the summit of the 120-nation grouping.
“After coming to power in 2001, the BNP had cancelled Bangladesh’s decision to organise the summit in Dhaka, calling the forum a ‘dead horse’. But the reality is that the NAM is not a ‘dead horse’, it’s still active and running.”
In a written speech, the PM said the participation of the Bangladesh delegation in the 18th NAM Summit in Baku of Azerbaijan has further strengthened the country’s position in the international arena.
She said the role of the NAM in establishing global peace, ensuring overall development and implementation of the SDGs is undeniable.
“Especially, the NAM has a crucial role alongside the United Nations in resolving the Rohingya crisis. So I think the participation of the Bangladesh team in the NAM Summit held after the UN General Assembly has further consolidated Bangladesh’s position in the global forum.”
Hasina said in her speech at the NAM Summit, she highlighted the Rohingya crisis and climate change as the two major challenges for Bangladesh.
The PM also reiterated that voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhaine in safety, security and dignity is the only solution to the crisis.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam were present at the press conference.
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