Remain cautious so that none can use ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) must remain cautious so that none can use the commission and its anti-graft drive for political purposes, said speakers at a roundtable yesterday.
However, ACC Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury said the ongoing anti-corruption drive would continue the same way it has been in the last two years and the commission would not favour anyone in the matter.
"No effort can yield success if it is politically motivated. Not only politicians but every sector riddled with corruption must be looked into," said former education minister Osman Faruk at the roundtable titled 'Applying Lessons From the 13th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) to Bangladesh.'
The roundtable was the concluding event of the five-day 'Anti-Corruption Week' that began on March 18.
"The Anti-Corruption Commission must be allowed to work independently. None should influence the commission in pursuing corruption cases," said Dr Manzoor Hasan, director of institute of government studies of Brac University.
The week was launched under the Promoting Governance, Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (Progati) programme, funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to raise awareness about reducing corruption in Bangladesh.
"I hope the present elected government will fulfil its election pledges about fighting corruption and give us necessary assistance in this regard," said Mashhud.
"The anti-graft drive will face obstacles if an elected government lacks political commitment to curb corruption," Mashhud added.
"The commission will work considering the real situation. But it will not make compromises while dealing with corruption," Hasan Mashhud added. Four papers were presented at the roundtable.
Quoting corruption database report of Transparency International Bangladesh, the paper titled 'The Private Sector, Gender and Corruption' said, "The private sector is seen to be among the most corrupt sectors locally. Some 14.3 % of private sector employees are estimated to be involved in corrupt practices." Selima Ahmed presented it.
The paper titled 'Role of Civil Society and Media in Combating Corruption,' prepared by Dr Shahnaz Karim, said, "Bangladesh needs to strengthen existing civil society coalitions, networks and public-private partnerships to raise awareness about corruption."
Safar Raj Hossain presented a paper titled 'Corruption in the Government and Public Sector" while barrister Manzoor Hasan presented another titled 'The 13th
International Anti-Corruption Conference: An Overview."
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