Editorial
Dhaka's improving corruption image
Let's go forward from here
In the Berlin-based Transparency International's corruption perception index (CPI) Bangladesh has bettered its previous ranking of 3rd most corrupt country to the 7th position. She is clearly breaking out of the cycle of being perceived as the topper in the corruption perception index. This is an inspiring sign. The explicit reason for our corruption perception score remaining at 2 is that this year's index was heavily influenced by data for 2006. As Prof Muzaffer explains the score could have declined if the positive results achieved between January and July this year did not offset the worsening corruption data of 2006. In a way therefore, there has been a positive effect of the drive against corruption under the interim government.
One would like to pin hopes for a still better corruption image following the ongoing institutional reforms in terms of separating the judiciary from the executive and in reforming the Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission and Public Service Commission. Alluding to the arrest of those associated with corruption in the past and Bangladesh's signing of the UN Convention against corruption, TIB believes the 'effectiveness of these measures will determine Bangladesh's score in 2008 and beyond.' What we need to do now is combat corruption on an accelerated pace so as to elevate the country's score to 3 in the CPI which is regarded by the TI as a landmark denoting corruption is not rampant in a country.
Whatever may be the nuances of these perceptions, the challenge before Bangladesh is to curb institutional corruption in light of knowledge gathered from the anti-corruption campaign as a whole. We have a long way to go and we cannot rest on the oars of any partial success. Our real hope lies in the fact that the people of the country want a corruption-free society because of the sense of loss they have suffered through lack of desired level of development caused by corruption and abuse of power.
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