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Speakers at a seminar Friday called for strong political determination and the will to combat corruption in the country, report agencies.
"No anti-corruption initiative can succeed without such political determination and indeed role models at the highest level," said Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, at the seminar organised to mark the observance of the International Anti-corruption Day.
"But when political will is absent… the ultimate source of strength in the anti-corruption movement is the people and their participation in the form of a social movement with active media support," he said at the seminar on "Corruption and Human Insecurity in Bangladesh".
Presided over by TIB trustee Prof. Muzaffer Ahmed, the seminar at the Jatiya Press Club was addressed, among others, by former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury MP, M Hafizuddin Khan, Dr Salauddin M Aminuzzaman, Khushi Kabir, AKM Abdus Sabur and Maulana Abdus Sobhan MP.
Presenting a paper at the seminar, Dr Iftekharuzzaman suggested independent and effective functioning of Anti-corruption Commission and abolition of the Official Secrets Act to ensure free flow of information and appointment of sector-wise Ombudsman.
"Fighting corruption is a highly challenging task because of the links of corruption with power. It is also widely believed that complete eradication of corruption is not a realistic proposition.
"What is beyond any doubt, however, is the need for a comprehensive policy following from a strategic vision. Replacing one corrupt individual with another, or enacting a new law replacing the old or setting up new institution in place of another may not necessarily be the answer," he said.
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