Few ACC cases are influenced

Contrary to the popular perception by many outsiders, an insignificant proportion of cases taken by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are influenced, Director General of ACC Brig Gen (retd) MH Salahuddin said yesterday.

"I do not deny that. But at best 2-3 percent of the cases may be influenced," he told a meeting at the office of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which was organised to strengthen cooperation among ACC, CAG, and Information Commission.

Salahuddin said many people in and outside of the government commented on many institutions based on perception and without proper understanding.

He also said media tried to help ACC, but they sometimes also created problems with incomplete reporting.

The official stressed partnership between ACC, Bangladesh Bank, the National Board of Revenue to investigate cases related to money laundering and terror financing. It is tough to work on these without their cooperation, he said.

ACC Chairman Mohammad Badiuzzaman said there was reluctance in sharing information. "We have a lot of conservatism," he said.

"We have to change our mindset. We all want good governance. But mutual cooperation is necessary to ensure that."

Both Badiuzzaman and Chief Information Commissioner Mohammed Farooq stressed the need for strong political commitment to establish transparency, accountability and good governance.