Sanctifying Bangladesh society
Among the achievements of the caretaker government (CTG) we may safely consider separation of judiciary from executive and activation of a dysfunctional Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) as the greatest. While the positive effect of (a) may take some more time, (b) has been able to satisfy the people that nobody is above the law.
We do not expect cleaning of the Augean stable of corruption in Bangladesh in no time by a single organisation. We have to realise that ACC is working in a highly corrupt society. It is common knowledge that Bangladeshis did not have a reputation for honesty in the past.
We can hardly defend ourselves against the comments of the famous historian Roberts during the British rule. During the Pakistani days, or during the last 36 years, no serious attempt could be made to make bureaucracy or politics or business free from corruption due to the compromising attitude of the governments.
Fighting corruption in a corrupt society is not an easy job. It needs immense patience, tremendous courage, and tireless effort to work with missionary zeal and enthusiasm. We are lucky to have such a man who possesses all these qualities to head the ACC. The person is no other than Lt. Gen. (retd) Hasan Mashud Chowdhury, ex-army chief. His resignation from the job of adviser in the CTG of Dr. Iajuddin indicated his spirit of independence and neutrality.
In the beginning the ACC was a dysfunctional organization, with politicised and largely corrupt personnel from the defunct Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). With his zeal and enthusiasm Mr. Hasan Mashud earned a good name both within and outside the country. Even The Daily Star was not miserly in appreciating his good work.
Mr. Hasan Mashud has realised that control of institutional corruption is more difficult than combating corruption of the politicians or businessmen because bureaucracy is the most organised and powerful body. No matter who rules, they have to compromise with the bureaucracy if they want to run their regime smoothly.
Non-cooperation by the officers brings administration to a standstill. No dictator or elected government can afford to create such a situation.
To curb corruption in Bangladesh society only an efficient and powerful ACC is not enough. The ACC receives thousands of complaints, and handling of such a huge number of complaints is far beyond its capacity.
It is true that ACC has tried to decentralise its administration. However, this is not enough. There is no guarantee that corruption may not take hold of its district officers. After all, money has very powerful effect on people, and certainly on the low paid officers and officials with some power to exercise. The drive for eliminating corruption may only be really effective if the common people start hating corruption.
As indicated earlier, corruption has existed in Bangladesh for a long time. Broadly speaking, common people neither dislike corruption nor bother about honesty. Thus, it is difficult to prove the dishonesty of a person unless he is caught red-handed.
Common people are helpless against any powerful, wealthy, corrupt person. Ordinary people dare not initiate a case against such a person because he can purchase almost any person in the law enforcing body with his money.
A corrupt person is not only powerful, he is influential as well. He goes for developing good relationship with a large number of influential people through offering bribes on various pretexts. He maintains a high standard of living, and is often found attending Friday prayers regularly to convince the people that he is a pious soul.
We know that a considerable number of senior officers, politicians and businessmen have purchased houses in USA. Their children are sent abroad for study and the educational expenses are defrayed through illegal channels. They ignore any possible danger of any evil consequence because they know that they have the capacity to tackle any situation.
With regard to reducing institutional corruption the Regulatory Reforms Commission has a critical role. Simplification and deletion of a large number of rules and regulations will reduce the scope for corruption. Close association of the ministries of commerce, industries, home affairs and finance with ACC may reduce the quantum of corruption.
Our civil society has an important role in fighting corruption. Through regularly highlighting the bad effects of corruption in different seminars and workshops they may bring about some sense of hatred and disliking against corruption. In rural areas the imams may play more active roles in convincing the people that corruption is an immoral act.
In asking for public cooperation for combating corruption the following points may be considered by ACC :
* Corrupt businessmen, politicians and bureaucrats are powerful, not ordinary, people,
* Common people will not involve themselves in identifying corrupt persons because they have little time for social clean-up,
* Bangladesh has no culture of hating corruption. Instead, people have started showing respect for money,
* The corrupt businessmen are not only close to the concerned bureaucrats and politicians, they have also become popular through generous donations, and by participating in various social gatherings and religious celebrations.
To eradicate corruption from Bangladesh society what is most important is people's awareness, and rejection of corruption as an immoral practice. This needs close understanding and cooperation between the people and the government.
A.B.M.S. Zahur is a former joint secretary.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments