A prime minister at a red light, and a nation at a crossroads

We have often heard stories of European prime ministers riding bicycles to their offices and dining among citizens in ordinary restaurants. It sounded almost unbelievable until I experienced something similar outside the Danish parliament building in Copenhagen in 2016. The then prime minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, arrived there on a bicycle, and I even had the chance to take photographs. Something of that sort is unthinkable in Dhaka. Here, passersby are stopped by police, and entire traffic flows are frozen when the prime minister moves. City dwellers have long been angry and frustrated by this practice.

Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who returned from the UK after 17 years in exile, has set a different example. His vehicle stops when the traffic light turns red. Citizens have appreciated the gesture, though many remain curious whether the practice will continue or eventually be halted. Some have also suggested that adequate security arrangements should still be ensured for him.

Tarique Rahman has begun his tenure at the Secretariat with an equally clear signal. Since February 18, he has been going to the office on time and closely monitoring whether ministers, state ministers, and secretaries are maintaining office hours. He has worked weekends, reminded colleagues of punctuality, and made it clear that the casual culture of late arrivals will not be tolerated. He reviewed attendance records, thanked cabinet members who stayed beyond office hours to complete their work, and expressed displeasure at those failing to maintain punctuality. On Monday, the law ministry issued an office order directing all officers and employees to ensure regular attendance and punctuality, stressing transparency and integrity in all official activities.

These are positive signals from the top leadership and must be implemented across all public offices. Such discipline can set the tone for governance nationwide and is crucial for improving the image of Bangladesh and its citizens. Dhaka’s traffic congestion and the general lack of punctuality among Bangladeshis have already earned a poor reputation. We often arrive late to offices and habitually blame traffic jams.

During conversations, many foreign diplomats have shared their frustrations about chaotic traffic, often joking about the lack of punctuality here. When discussing foreign investment in Bangladesh, they frequently raise concerns about corruption and bureaucratic red tape, even while praising Bangladeshis for their warm hospitality and friendliness. Changing this negative perception is essential for the dignity of the nation.

At the same time, discipline is directly linked to productivity. According to the BUET-run Accident Research Institute, traffic congestion in Dhaka costs the economy an estimated $6.5 billion annually in lost productivity, fuel wastage, and health expenses, indirectly reducing the country’s GDP by 6 to 10 percent each year. Commuters spend countless hours stuck in traffic -- time that could otherwise be productive. A remark by a young Bangladeshi journalist who permanently moved to the United States is telling. He once said he was so frustrated by Dhaka’s traffic that he decided not to return to Bangladesh.

The previous government undertook initiatives such as the metro rail and elevated expressway, which have been effective but costly. The current government may be reluctant to pursue similar mega infrastructure projects, given the country’s significant debt burden. Meanwhile, less expensive measures -- such as operating adequate double-decker buses across the city, improving circular roadways and river routes, and introducing smart traffic management systems including automated signalling -- have seen little progress over the years.

Bringing discipline to public offices and ensuring transparency are of paramount importance. Bangladesh has a perennial problem of failing to implement projects on time, leading to cost overruns that ultimately burden the public exchequer. We cannot continue practices that have persisted for decades. This is a new Bangladesh, living in a time when global cooperation is declining and competition is rising. Even in cooperation, competence and efficiency are prerequisites. Otherwise, stronger nations will simply exploit weaknesses.

For the newly elected government, managing the economy and ensuring the rule of law will be its biggest challenges -- each closely linked to the other. As the government moves forward, it must recognise both its strengths and weaknesses. Bangladesh’s strengths include its fertile land, abundant water resources, strategic sea lanes, and its 170 million people. Its weaknesses lie in inefficient resource management and a lack of discipline. Comprehensive planning, effective strategies, appointing the right people, ensuring good governance, and delivering clear public messaging are key to success in a democratic society.

The prime minister has set a tone of discipline, which essentially reflects good governance and respect for the rule of law. It is assumed this is part of his slogan, “I have a plan.” But it is not enough to have a plan. It must be communicated to the people, they must be engaged and implemented effectively. Success lies in discipline—from the Prime Minister’s Office to the streets. The people are watching, and the youth will watch the government more closely than ever before.

The writer is diplomatic correspondent at The Daily Star. He can be reached at porimol25@yahoo.com