The New Nation - Internet Edition

Khaleda released on parole to say goodbye to mother: Taiyeba flown to Dhaka from Dinajpur; Tarique, Arafat allowed to see late grandmother

Former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia being
consoled by the family members at her Cantonment residence
after she came to see the body of her mother. Banglar
Chokh

From left: The body of Taiyeba Majumder was flown to
Dhaka from Dinajpur yesterday. Tarique Rahman and Arafat
Rahman paying last respect to their grandmother after being
released on parole from the Dhaka Central Jail and BSMMU
respectively at their Cant

Staff Reporter

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and her two sons were separately allowed under parole to see the body of her mother at their Dhaka Cantonment residence late yesterday afternoon.

The body of Khaleda's mother, Taieba Majumder, was earlier flown to Dhaka in an Air Force helicopter from Dinajpur where she breathed her last on Friday. Younger son of the deceased Flight Engineer Shamim Iskandar accompanied his mother's body.

The special arrangement was made reportedly on security grounds because it was difficult to take Begum Khaleda Zia and her two sons-Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko-who are under detention facing various corruption charges to Dinajpur to see the body of the deceased.

Khaleda Zia's younger son Koko was taken to the Cantonment residence at Mainul Road at 4:35pm and elder son Tarique Rahman at 5:55pm while Begum Khaleda Zia was moved there at 7:28pm and taken back. They did not see each other.

Begum Zia burst into tears when she saw the body of her mother. This created a heart rending scene. Later, Begum Zia spent some time there and talked to her relatives and partymen who were present there and enquired about their well being.

Later, Begum Zia, who was arrested on September 3 last year in connection with a corruption case, was sent back to sub-jail at 9:45pm.

The government has taken tight security measure to avert any untoward incident. Partymen and journalists were not allowed to go to Begum Zia's Cantonment residence.

Some BNP leaders, including Maj (Retd) Akhteruzzaman, Asaduzzaman Ripon, Habibunnabi Sohel, Abul Hossain Khan, Farida Yasmin and Babul Chowdhury, who earlier went to Begum Zia's house, were forced to leave the area before the arrival of Koko in the afternoon.

The first namaj-e-janaza of Tayeba Majumder was held at the premises of Begum Zia's Cantonment residence at 7:07pm. Tarique Rahman, among others, attended the namaj-e-janaza.

The second namaj-e-janaza was held at Gulshan Azad Jame Mosque at 9:00pm. Among others, BNP Secretary General Khondaker Delwar Hossain, Sayeed Iskandar, Nazrul Islam Khan, Rizvi Ahmed, attended the namaj-e-janaja.

Earlier, uncertainty was prevailing over holding her namaj-e-janaza at Gulshan Azad Jame Mosque as the schedule was being changed repeatedly. Huge number of BNP leaders and activists and political leaders were waiting there to attend her namaj-e-janaza from midday yesterday. The leaders include Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar, Deputy Speaker Akhter Hamid Siddiqui, Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Maj (Retd) Qamrul Islam, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Jamaat leaders-Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, Mohammad Quamaruzzaman and Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedi.

The dead body was brought again to her Mainul Road residence to enable Begum Zia to see her mother's body for the last time.

The dead body has been taken to Dinajpur by road last night. The body is expected to be buried at the ancestral graveyard in Dinajpur beside her husband Iskandar Majumder today.

Army Chief for sustainable form of government: Hints at forming constitution reform commission

Moeen U Ahmed

Staff Reporter

Dropping a broad hint about the formation of Constitution Reform Commission to strike a balance of power, Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed has said the absence of the two top leaders-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-would not create any leadership vacuum in the BNP and the Awami League-the two major political parties of the country.

“If you pump out water from a stream for the time being, new water would come and feel up the vacuum again,” he said when asked if the BNP and AL would suffer from a leadership crisis due to the absence of the two detained former prime ministers. “No political party waits for a particular person,” he said.

Putting forward an idea of evolving sustainable form of Government suitable for Bangladesh with a balance of power, General Moeen said the politicians would have to sit on the driving seat to lead the nation to its desired destination.

He said this in an exclusive interview with Zillur Rahman in a talk show 'Tritio Matra’ on the private television Channel-i. The full text of the interview was telecast early hours last night.

General Moeen, who led the January 11 (2007) military intervention that rescued the country and its people from an obvious civil war, termed the transfer of power to an elected government after holding a free, fair and credible election, arresting of price hike of essentials and bringing about reforms, the three major challenges before the present Caretaker Government.

He also dropped a broad hint that the National Security Council (NSC) would be formed to enable the Armed Forces to help the civilian Government effectively. There are National Security Councils (NSC) in India and Pakistan, he added.

Referring to the Caretaker Government, the Amry said, “The train that derailed is now back on track” and now “an efficient driver is required and politicians should sit on the driving seat to lead the nation to development, prosperity and a sustainable democracy”.

On the Army's role in this regard, he said, “We are working as the gantry crane in service of the Government to take the train to its destination.”

General Moeen said, “The Army did not want to get involved with the 1/11 (changeover).”

“But not even animals have to die like people died on October 28, 2006,” he said referring to the killing of political activists in street-battles between the two rival political camps-the BNP-led four party alliance and the AL-led 14-party alliance in the capital in broad daylight.

The country must not be pushed into the path of destruction, he asserted.

Mentioning the role of the political parties on January 11, 2007, General Moeen said, “It's the failure of the political parties. They have a lot to answer for.”

On the success of the present Caretaker Government, he said, “The identification of corruption as the foremost malaise and keeping it under control is the government's success.”

On the failure of the Caretaker Government, he said, “I would not call it a failure. Prices increased due to floods, cyclone and higher prices in the international market.”

Emphasising the need for food security, he said, “We have to increase production. We have to bring in hybrid seeds.”

Putting forward his idea about a sustainable democracy, the Army Chief said, “We have seen Parliamentary, Presidential and Military forms of governments. Such a system has to be evolved so that misuse of power does not take place in running the statecraft.”

He urged the authorities concerned to study the idea he espouses for justifying his thoughts on the changes.

“Time has come to think about it as well as review the Constitution for effective functioning of Government to fulfill aspirations of the people and materialise the dream of independence,” he said.

Referring to practice of Westminster type of democracy in Bangladesh, he posed a question how it could be effective where other prerequisites are not followed but “all power lies in the hands of the Prime Minister” in the Parliamentary form of Government.

In this regard, he mentioned some pictures he himself saw in the United Kingdom during its general elections, saying, “In Westminster type of democracy in Britain votes are not sold nor agents of the candidates remain in polling centre”.

“In Britain, there is no pasting of contesting candidates’ poster and their poll-campaigning centres excepting a few posters pasted on a specific place,” he said.

“But the ground reality in our country is quite different,” General Moeen said, adding, “In Parliamentary democracy, all powers lie in the hands of the Prime Minister. This needs a change. That’s why we need a system where balance of power is ensured and none can misuse, abuse the power.”

In the past, he observed that the changes brought to the Constitution were based on personal interest of the previous regimes and expressed the hope that the next elected Government would look into it for sustainable democracy.

Asked what would be the fate of Moeen’s ideas if similar-natured Parliament reappeared after next election, he said, “This Government has only one year on hand and it can’t address everything at the same time.”

He said all should cooperate with the Government in reaching the goal so that it does not deviate from its original goal of holding a free, fair and credible election to transfer power to an elected Government.

He said the formation of Constitution Reform Commission was necessary to strike a balance of power and remove the scope for misuse of power.

“People have started thinking about reviewing and reforming the Constitution. India has reviewed eight times its constitution. Time has come to review our Constitution,” General Moeen said.

About the National Security Council, he whose force is backing the present Caretaker Government in doing sweeping reforms, said the Armed Forces are very much part and parcel of the Government.

Whether the Government was monitoring corruption of those within the government itself, the General said, “I am sure the government is alert about it. It will not allow that to happen.”

On the recent resignations of five advisers, General Moeen said the Advisers resigned for their “personal reasons”.

“The government wanted to bring dynamism in its actions” he added.

Asked why institutional changes had not occurred despite changes of personnel within different institutions he retorted: “How do you get reforms if you don't have a right person in the right place?”

“First you have to place efficient persons. Then they will bring about institutional reforms,” General Moeen said, citing the Election Commission as an example.

DU VC meets Chief Adviser: Detained teachers to be freed in a week

Dhaka University students brought out a silent
procession on the campus yesterday demanding unconditional
release of detained teachers and students. NN
photo

DU Correspondent

The students of Dhaka University declared that they will 'gherao' (lay siege) the Vice Chancellor office on January 21 as part of their ongoing movement to get the detained teachers and students released.

Addressing a press conference at the Modhu's canteen yesterday, students under the banner of 'Chhatra Bandhu" declared this saying the VC is not sincere to see the detainees freed.

Besides, the students of the university under different banners are continuing their movement even amid vacation holding different programes including human chain, silent procession and the protest cultural function.

Meanwhile, the students of Bangladesh University of

Engineering and Technology (BUET) for the first time took out a silent procession on the campus in response to the call of the DU students to press home for the freeing the jailed teachers and students.

A group of 50 to 60 students of Bio-Chemistry Department of the university brought out a silent procession from Curzon Hall area yesterday morning while some students under the banner of 'Student movement for protesting repression' observed similar programme at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla.

Another group of students under the banner of 'Anti-repression students' held a protest rally on the campus yesterday afternoon.

DU VC Prof SMA Faiz said that he was hoping the teachers would be freed soon as he was trying his best to see the freedom of his colleagues and students.

Meanwhile, Prof Faiz met the Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the evening and discussed the issue.

He told media that the detained teachers and a student would be released within a week.

Call for holding election soon: Economic, political emergency creates social instability: Akbar

Former adviser of the caretaker government Dr Akbar
Ali Khan speaking as chief guest at a seminar on 'the State
of the Economy and the Way Forward' at Sonargaon Hotel in
the city on Saturday. Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain,
noted economist Dr Qazi

Staff Reporter

Chairman of the Regulatory Reforms Commission (RRC) Dr Akbar Ali Khan yesterday observed that two types of emergency situation-economic and political-is prevailing in the country simultaneously creating social unrest.

"We cannot allow political emergency and economic emergency to go together… it can lead us to a dangerous consequence of social instability," he told a consultation titled 'State of the Economy and the Way Forward' at a city hotel.

Eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain chaired the consultation under the banner of 'Bangladesh First- Bangladesh 2025' where economists, academics, lawyers, businessmen and former bureaucrats were present.

Former Adviser Sultana Kamal addressed the meeting as special guest while president of Bangladesh Economic Association Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, former FBCCI president Yussuf Abdullah Harun and BGMEA president Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury made keynote presentations.

Urging for holding election as soon as possible Akbar Ali Khan said an elected government should take over office before the next budget, as taking of complicated decisions for unelected government is very difficult. It will be not wise to announce another budget under an unelected government, he said. He urged the caretaker government to engage in intense consultations with the civil society and stakeholders to run the country through concerted efforts.

The former Finance Adviser emphasised on reaching consensus on different issues warning that failure to do so will result in paying a heavy price for the nation.

Akbar Ali Khan said prices of essentials did not reach as high as now during the three democratic governments despite their inefficiencies and corruption.

Speakers termed the country's economic situation as critical and listed causes, including severe recurring floods followed by Cyclone Sidr, reform initiatives by the caretaker government that shattered business and investment confidence, and not solving the small problems immediately which have now gone out of control.

They also observed the external problems, including high oil and food prices on the international market with a forecast that chances are bleak that the prices would decline any time soon.

Against this backdrop, they suggested taking concerted efforts in the home front to identify specific problems and their possible solutions through consultations.

"There is no question that we want democracy… We'll have to face the two emergencies through our concerted efforts," Dr Kamal said, summarising the speakers' comments.

He called for recognising the problems the country was now facing and put all the heads together to overcome the situation.

Dr Akbar said Bangladesh witnessed dramatic developments in 2007 as the country went through political state of emergency followed by legal and constitutional emergency while it was driven by devastation amid political confrontation.

"The situation has arisen from a confluence of problems over some of which we've control while over others we have not," he said, terming the situation a "really alarming" one.

He rang the alarm bell mainly on the bleak prospect of reducing prices of food and oil in the international market in the near future and said the inflation, now over 11 per cent, is unlikely to come down soon.

Instead, he added, it would deepen further, posing a serious threat to the marginal people.

The former adviser does not also see "much relief" out of the next boro season as he observed the dearth of agriculture inputs coupled with looming threat of power crisis ahead.

"All these things have created the economic emergency, which if remained unaddressed, will create a social instability," he said, urging the government to start talking with the civil society, business community and other sections of the society to get over the problem.

Donors to finance construction of 2000 cyclone shelters

Staff Reporter

Donors and development agencies have agreed to finance construction of a large number of new cyclone shelters in the coastal areas to save the people from the wrath of the cyclonic storm, responding positively to a proposal of the Caretaker Government for building some 2000 cyclone shelters.

Of the international development agencies, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) alone agreed to setting up more than 600 cyclone shelters.

As part of the post-Sidr rehabilitation programme, the Government had sought US 228.57 million dollars funds from donors and development agencies for setting up 2,000 new cyclone shelters in the coastal areas, official sources said.

The Government also sought another US 28 million dollars for reconstruction and refurbishment of a good number of existing cyclone shelters. There are about 1,500 cyclone shelters in the country now.

Thus the Government's total external financial requirement rose to US 256.57 million dollars.

"Responding to the Government's request, a number of development agencies and donors have sought necessary support and operations from us for building a large number of cyclone shelters," a senior official said.

An IDB delegation will visit Bangladesh shortly and is expected to make a final proposal regarding the construction of such shelters, the official said.

The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) has made its formal proposal for building 20 multi-purpose cyclone shelters in different Sidr-affected areas of Bangladesh.

Apart from that, some other organizations, including the World Bank have expressed their intention to provide funding supports for construction of cyclone shelters in the country's coastal areas, especially those vulnerable to sea-based calamities.

Zia's birth anniversary observed

Staff Reporter

Leaders and activists of both factions of the BNP and its front organisations yesterday observed the 72nd birth anniversary of the slain President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the party, with a renewed pledge to establish multi-party democracy in the country.

They placed wreaths on the grave of Ziaur Rahman at Chandrima Uddyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city separately to avert untoward incidents.

A former Chief of the Army Staff, General Zia was born in 1936 in Bagbari village under Gabtoli upazila of Bogra district and was assassinated in an abortive military coup in Chittagong on May 30 in 1981.

The BNP, its front organisations and different socio-cultural organisations, had chalked out different programmes to celebrate the day, but both the factions cancelled those after the death of Begum Taiyeba Majumder, mother of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

A group of BNP leaders and workers, led by BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain placed wreath at Zia's grave at 10:30am. Party leaders Nazrul Islam Khan, Begum Selima Rahman, Moazzem Hossain Alal, Khairul Kabir Khokon and Rizvi Ahmed accompanied Khandaker Delwar.

Leaders and activists of the other faction led by BNP Acting Secretary General Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed placed wreaths and offered fateha at about 12:30pm. BNP leaders Maj Gen (retd) ZA Khan, Shah Mohammad Abul Hossain and Nazir Hossain accompanied Maj Hafiz.

The law enforcement agency earlier prepared separate time schedules for leaders of the rival BNP groups and arranged adequate security in and around Zia's mazar to avert untoward incidents.

After placing wreath, Khandaker Delwar told journalists that the BNP remains united under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.

He said BNP was committed to the ideals of Shaheed President Zia and vowed to free Khaleda to ensure democracy and development in the country.

"There is no split in BNP," he said, terming the party's reformist leaders as "misguided", for, what he said, reasons already known to the people.

Maj (retd) Hafiz said the birth anniversary of Zia was the day for taking a fresh pledge to follow the ideals and teachings the late President to establish a corruption free developed democratic society.

He said, "Shaheed Zia, in his lifetime, introduced the politics of mutli-party democracy, development, production to make Bangladesh a self-reliant country."

Both factions of the BNP cancelled their scheduled discussions meeting on Zia's life and work following the death of party Chairperson's mother.

Holy Ashura today

Members of Shia community brought out a mourning
procession in the city yesterday on the eve of holy Ashura.
NN photo

UNB, Dhaka

The country will observe the holy Ashura on Sunday commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husein (RA), youngest grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SM), at the Battle of Karbala in 680 A.D.

The government has declared public holiday on the occasion holy Ashura.

The word Ashura simply means "tenth" in Arabic, and therefore the name of the remembrance, literally translated, means "the tenth day" of the month of Muharram.

On this day, Imam Husain (RA) along with most of his family members and followers embraced martyrdom at the hands of the soldiers of Yazid at Karbala (in the present day Iraq) while fighting to establish truth in society.

Different religious organisations and groups will observe the day to pay respect to the holy martyrs.

President Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed gave a message on this occasion, terming Ashura as a significant day for the Muslims for establishing truth and justice among the Islamic Ummah.

"The message of holy Ashura inspires us to be vocal against injustice and oppression and to follow the path of truth and justice," the President said. He wished unity, solidarity and continued progress of the Muslim Ummah.

Int'l Textile, Garments Machinery show begins tomorrow

Staff Reporter

The Fifth Dhaka International Textile and Garments Machinery Exhibition-2008 is to start from January 21 at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre.

The four-day long exhibition will be jointly organised by the Bangladesh Textile Mills

Association (BTMA), ES Event Management SDN-BHD Malaysia and the Yorker Trade and Marketing Service Company Ltd Hong Kong.

"In the exhibition, 415 machine manufactures will showcase a wide varieties of latest textiles and garments technologies, machineries and parts," said BTMA President Abdul Hye Sarker.

He was addressing a press conference yesterday to formally announce the forth-coming exhibition, at the BTMA office in the capital.

"The main objective of this exhibition is to provide a chance to the small and medium investors and mill owners to modify and chose the latest and most suitable machines for their production houses," said the BTMA President.

According to him, Bangladesh has emerged as one of the most potential market for textiles and garments machineries in the world. This has attracted so many well-reputed machine manufacturer companies to come and display their best products during this exhibition under the same roof, he added.

Representative of ES Event Management SDN-BHD Malaysia Judi Wang and Tiger Lin were also present at the press conference and responded to the media men.

Secretary BTMA Mansoor Ahmed said, more than 730 stalls were so far registered by companies from Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK and USA.

The exhibition will remain open till January 24, 2008.