Solutions lie with politicians

Speakers at a seminar yesterday demanded strong political will and exemplary punishment for guilty persons to eliminate corruption from society.

"In many cases it can be seen that corrupt people have connections with politicians. They have a kind of a political patron. In many cases, they help political parties financially," said Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman.

"The connection between corruption and politics is causing major problem for us and it undermines our efforts to eliminate corruption," he said, adding that eliminating corruption requires a strong political will and administrative measures.

The seminar, "Role of Social Movement in Eliminating and Preventing Corruption", was organised by Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) at its headquarters in the capital in observance of corruption prevention week.

Prof Anisuzzaman underscored the need for teaching the young generation values and principles to build a generation free from corruption.

In his keynote speech, Prof Salahuddin M Aminuzzaman of Dhaka University's public administration department said corruption was a socio-political issue.

To make its image more acceptable and institutional activities dynamic, ACC needs to analyse some fundamental questions immediately, he said. ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmud said two to three percent of the country's GDP was lost due to corruption.

"Bribing is not only one form of corruption. Failing to carry out responsibilities is also corruption. Any work which is beyond conscience and principle is also corruption," he said.

Former adviser to a caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan said the government should admit that massive corruption exists in society. "When Transparency International publishes corruption index, the government denies it. The commission too denies it," he said, adding that raising a movement against corruption would be possible when its existence is acknowledged.

Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman suggested including youths in the social movement against corruption to make it successful.

He stressed political willingness, exemplary punishments for guilty persons and stopping misuse of the act to stop corruption.

Local government expert Prof Tofail Ahmed suggested that ACC takes necessary measures to enhance skills of investigators so that they could adeptly conduct probes even against secretaries, when necessary.

Former ACC chairman M Badiuzzaman said ACC was stumbling to work independently. "It is dependent on the government for budgets and on administrative matters," he said.

There had been offices of ACC in 64 districts but in 2007 it was reduced to 22. Now there is no option for ACC to monitor corruption taking places at these districts, he said.

The former chairman said according to the act, ACC's annual report was supposed to be discussed in parliament. "As far as I can remember, no annual report of ACC has been discussed in parliament. Both the government and opposition show indifference in discussing the matter. This indifference needs to be eliminated," he said.

Former chief information commissioner Dr Muhammad Zamir said to reduce corruption, accountability and transparency of all organisations need to be established.

Former information commissioner Prof Sadeka Halim suggested that ACC ensures accountability and transparency of corruption prevention committees as there were allegations of harassment against these committees.

Former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder said corruption was prevailing in society due to a sense of impunity. "This should be eliminated," he added.

Former secretary Inam Ahmed Chowdhury said if measures had been taken, looting of thousands of crores of taka would not have taken place.

Former minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibn Yousuf said politicians were at the helm of everything. "To eliminate corruption, they need to be corruption-free," he added.

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder suggested handing down exemplary punishment to some identified corrupted people to inhibit others from committing the crime.