Editorial
Anti-corruption drive must be a continuing one
Nothing should be done to reduce public confidence in ACC
We were taken a little by surprise at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's rather sweeping remarks on the Anti-Corruption Commission's operations under Dr Fakhruddin-led caretaker government on the floor of Jatiya Sangsad Wednesday. They sounded overly critical of a task performed under realities in the caretaker interregnum that was fraught with pushes and pulls through which the ACC had to navigate and function.
It seems to us that the ACC's work is being confused with that of the National Coordination Committee. For, the ACC had neither to do with the arrests or detentions nor the subsequent plethora of bails that were granted belatedly, which was something of a legal anachronism, apparently in the interest of a relaxed and participatory atmosphere for the election. It is still obscure from public view as to who were the actual protagonists of the so-called minus-two formula or attempts at simulating birth of a third political force, or, indeed, whether the NCC was merely acting out the play from the front. It, definitely, was not the ACC.
People from both sides of the fence were affected by the anti-corruption drive. It is to be expected that with one voice they will express their grievance over it. But as the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should tread above all this. For, the Prime Minister herself has stated before the House that it was necessary to shake the society off as corruption had seeped into all fields. The PM cannot forget that, among other things, it is the issue of corruption and BNP's identification with it that contributed to her landslide victory in the polls.
If grounds existed to raise questions about the ACC's accountability and transparency, and if there are genuine allegations against any functionary of the ACC taking bribe or resorting to favouritism, then these must be probed and corrective action taken. Make the ACC or-ganisationally strong, corruption-free and operationally sound by all means, but let's ensure also that public confidence in the national anti-corruption body does not dwindle and that it works with vigour and greater commitment. In this regard we are heartened by the PM's repeated assertion that the anti-corruption drive will be given all the independence it needs to root out corruption in the country.
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