Anti-graft commission at last

Let's take a look at the composition of the much-heralded commission and try and flag off some questions basically arising out of it leaving it to the readers to judge their validity. Former High Court judge, chief election commissioner and chairman of Bangladesh Press Council Sultan Hossain Khan has been made chairman of the commission. He is octogenarian. We understand that it is in consideration of his physical fitness and good health that the President has appointed him to the position. Even so, without being disrespectful to him, may we point out the obvious which is that even in the advanced world 80 years of age is regarded rather too old to handle a full-time job. Even where the superannuating age is 65 as in the case of High Court judges evidently there is the retirement age. No umbrage taken; let's make it clear that this is no reflection on the capability of justice Sultan Hossain Khan or his credentials and wealth of experience. But we have to say that his appointment could get a wrong signal across that the anti-corruption commission might not have been perceived to be a dynamic body after all.

In truth, and for all practical purposes, justice Sultan Hossain Khan has the trebly onerous responsibility of: (a) establishing an anti-corruption commission from the scratch; (b) leading it through its teething phase; and (c) creating healthy precedents for the future running of the commission. There is a biological clock, and even the most resilient person at certain age will have some limitations.

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Former vice-chancellor and ambassador Maniruzzaman Mia is known for his association with the ruling party, although that shouldn't stand in the way of his functioning neutrally as a member of the three-man anti-graft commission.

In spite of all possible misgivings, we fervently hope that the chairman and members of the commission will prove their credibility and efficiency in the discharge of their mandated duties.