TIB report one-sided, motivated: Hasan

Trashing the report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on the 10th parliament, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the report is totally one-sided and ill-motivated.

“They gave a lot of wrong information and data in the report . . . TIB published such provocative reports, including the one on Padma Bridge, in the past too,” he told a discussion at an auditorium of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.

Trinamool BNP organized the discussion marking the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with its Chairman Barrister Nazmul Huda in the chair.

Dr Hasan said TIB previously made many reports with wrong information and data. “The TIB made a report in 2010 on a scam of a private company involving the Sundarbans. In that report, they used the data of 2007 and 2008 when the caretaker government was in office. But they didn’t mention the time. So, it seemed that the Awami League government committed the corruption,” he added.

The information minister said such reports create confusions among the people. “The attempt to make a democratic institution questionable would not be helpful for a democratic country. TIB should have sought apology to the nation. But they didn’t do it,” he added.

He urged the TIB members not to make such provocative and ill-motivated reports which create confusions among the people and damage the country’s image.

The minister said, “We want constructive criticism as it helps a democratic country to move forward in right paths. But typecast and blind criticisms make the people confused.”

About a seminar of BNP on Rohingya issue, Dr Hasan said it seemed that Rohingya repatriation is not their objective. Their main objective is to muddle the water, he added.

Urging BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir not to do ill politics, the minister said, “The government is moving on the right way on Rohingya repatriation issue. The government has involved the international community with this issue. The date of repatriation was also fixed,” he added.

But, he said, the repatriation process did not begin because of a few NGOs and activists of some political parties who want to play with this issue. “I hope that the repatriation would begin soon,” he added.

Terming the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a dreadful incident,

Dr Hasan said the law minister has already declared that a commission would be formed to uncover the masterminds behind the carnage.

He said the then deputy chief of Bangladesh Army, Ziaur Rahman, was involved in the fateful incident which was proved through many of his activities. “All the masterminds including Zia will be exposed to trial,” added Dr Hasan, also the ruling Awami League’s publicity and publication secretary.

The minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was never politicized by Awami League. “Everyone can observe the National Mourning Day and other days on Bangabandhu. Awami League will cooperate with them, if they seek any help,” he said. The AL also never politicized the slogan ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu’, he added.

Dr Hasan said the culprits also tried to kill Awami League President and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina several times. But, because of the blessings of the almighty, she backed from the dead valley along with more strength and moved ahead with firm commitment, he said.

Nazmul Huda urged all political and socio-cultural organizations to observe the National Mourning Day and the martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman unanimously.

He said Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly to materialize the dream of Father of the Nation. “We all will be beside the prime minister and our cooperation will be continued,” he added.

Trinamool BNP co-chairman KA Jahangir Majumdar, Bangladesh National Alliance (BNA) secretary general Dr Sheikh Habibur Rahman and Trinamool BNP secretary general Barrister Akbar Amin, among others, addressed the discussion.

Later, a doa mahfil was held.