A renaissance man

Former finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith was a politician who never patronised any "cadre" in politics and never violated law and order, said National Prof Shahla Khatun, Muhith's younger sister, yesterday.

She made the remarks while chairing a memorial programme in remembrance of the late minister.

Gyantapas Abdur Razzaq Foundation organised the event at Dhaka University's Prof Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium.

"Muhith earned respect everywhere he served. The only reason behind it was that he always thought about the people and worked for them," she added.

Dr Binayak Sen, director general of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), said Muhith was kind of a "renaissance man" who also inspired others to achieve excellence in fine arts, music, literature and so on.

"Today's generation tends to approach 'nano-specialisation'. Muhith bhai was very different," he said.

Binayak said he was amazed to see Muhith's detailed accounts of famine during the Pakistan rule in his resignation letter during the Liberation War.

"His contribution to the decentralisation of development was very important... he worked to make the country a welfare state. We may as well call him a social democrat."

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said, "We adore him as an elder brother, respect him as a teacher, and are overwhelmed with his conduct as a politician. His patriotism and love towards the people for advancing the country are replicable."

"We have criticised his role as a finance minister on multiple occasions but when we saw each other, those criticisms never surfaced. He rather showered our newspaper's work with praises."

Mahfuz Anam also said Muhith's initiative to turn the opinion of the US in favour of Bangladesh during the Liberation War was a necessary step at that time.

As a finance minister, he tried to allocate more to social welfare, including education, environment and health, but on many occasions failed to do so for different realities and political situations. "But he had goodwill, and he tried his best."

Muhith played a vital role to implement the prime minister's plans to build Padma Bridge with the country's financing, he added.

Bangladesh Bank's former governor Salehuddin Ahmed said Muhith never intervened in the bank's work as a finance minister. Rather, he chose to advise.

"He was liberal in taking others' opinions into consideration and was also tolerant of them," he said.

Mofidul Hoque, trustee of the Liberation War Museum, said Muhith's books on the Liberation War are very important writings. "His contribution to the cultural emergence of the country is also unforgettable."

Ahrar Ahmad, director general of Abdur Razzaq Foundation, said Muhith's specialty was appreciating individuals of politically opposing ideologies, which is very rare.

Abul Khair Litu, chairperson of the foundation, said Muhith stood by him during his days of being a young entrepreneur. "He even arranged the first bank loan for my jute business," he added.

Former Secretary M Mokammel Haque, Foundation Trustee Dr Rounaq Jahan and M Saiduzzaman sent written speeches for the programme, conducted by Foundation Trustee Luva Nahid Choudhury.