The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday said he is ready to leave his position permanently.

"Why on leave? I am ready to go permanently. That's not a problem at all," he said at a press conference when his comments were sought about a national daily report that the ACC chairman would have to be on leave during the investigation of a complaint by ex-Energy Adviser Mahmudur Rahman.

Failing to file a case against the ACC chairman, Mahmudur Rahman sent the complaint to the Commission alleging that Mashhud had misappropriated Tk 22.41 crore of Trust Bank money through siphoning when he was its chairman. Later, the ACC decided to refer the complaint to the government.

According to the report in the daily, the Law Ministry gave opinion for initiating investigation on the complaint. It also said the ACC chairman should be on leave during the investigation.

Asked if his "intention" to leave permanently was due to failure or assuming that he would not be able to work under the new government, Mashhud described the issue as hypothetical and said his decision would be based on "ground realities."

He said he would do whatever "needs to be done" in consultation with the others.

About the investigation of the complaint, the ACC chairman said: "It' s not a sentimental issue. It (going on leave) can be good for the sake of good investigation. But in case of any hint that I am unwelcome then I may think differently."

Asked if ACC would do anything about the corrupt businessmen, he said the businessmen are somehow involved with financial irregularities.

Mashhud, however, said it would not be right to single out a particular profession and start taking actions. "Overall corruption is there in all professions and sectors."

The press conference was jointly organized by the ACC and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at the National Press Club yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, ahead of the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9.

To mark the day, ACC and TIB are going to chalk out two-day long programmes in the capital. An anti-graft rally will be held tomorrow (Thursday) while a cultural function will be held on Friday at Rabindra Sarobor in Dhanmondi.

The ACC chairman said the programmes involving about 50 organisations have been chalked out so that the issue is not lost in the election fervor.

He said that in collaboration with other organisaions, programmes will be chalked out at district and upazila levels.

TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman told the press briefing that programmes to mark this year's International Anti-Corruption Day would be held beforehand as the day of Eid-ul-Azha falls on December 9.