The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday said the reconstituted Commission has spent much of its time on dealing with corruption by political bigwigs and now it would focus on corruption in the service providing sectors.

"Much of the last one and half years' time has been spent mainly on dealing with corruption by political leadership…But I know now the emphasis will shift…," he told the Commission's regular briefing.

Mashhud said, "At some point, we'll have to accept that for the time being enough has been done (about corruption by political leaders). Question doesn't arise to stop it altogether."

"But, we'll have to focus on another area, maybe on service providing sectors. If we don't go to those sectors, there'll be no difference in the TIB report after 6 months or a year," he said.

About the release of corrupt suspects on health and humanitarian ground, the ACC chairman said the Commission has no disagreement with the government in this regard if law and rules are followed.

He also said there is no reason to believe that no decision or step has been taken to make the ACC activities questionable.

The ACC chairman said he is sure that no quarter would try to consider the ACC as opponent to the government and if this is done the greater interest would be harmed.

Responding to a query about arrests of individuals in connection with graft cases, Mashhud said the arrests are not a big deal for the ACC. "When there'll be no emergency rule, one can't be arrested until the submission of charge sheet."

To another query, he said he believes that there would be no influence on courts if the government is changed.

In this regard, he said a relationship of mutual trust and understanding would have to be created with the government and other organisations.

Asked whether the Commission would launch a major anti-corruption drive if necessary because the Home Adviser said there would no major anti-graft campaign, Mashhud replied, "The ACC would do it with pleasure".

About a recent ACC decision to submit quite a few final reports, the ACC chairman said most of the cases the final reports of which already submitted were filed by police. "Out of the 1,122 graft cases, only 412 were filed by ACC while the rest by others and later were forwarded to the Commission."

"The final reports were not submitted to allow anybody to take any advantage," he said.

About the recent Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report that corruption has increased in many sectors, Mashhud said the Commission does not regard the report as a criticism of the ACC. "It' s rather the reflection of practicality."

He said the TIB report would be helpful in the future activities of the Commission. "We want to work as per the recommendations of the report. We won't reject the report as done in the past."

Mashhud also said the activities of the Commission would have to be 'fine-tuned'.