ACC to go after big names next year

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is likely to bring the high profile corrupt individuals to book next year, said its Chairman Iqbal Mahmood yesterday.

"The Anti-Corruption Commission, through its resources and intelligence, will make the highest efforts to bring to book the big fish in the world of corruption next year," he told a discussion marking the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Expatriates accused of corruption, will be brought back with the help of Interpol, he said at the event in the capital's National Theatre Hall.

ACC Chairman Mahmood said corrupt individuals had crossed all lines in misappropriating bank money, taking bribes for public services and leaking question papers.

"We want to break the fang of corrupt people," he said, according to an ACC press statement.

The days of misappropriating peoples' money from banks are over, he said.

"None of those who swindled banks will be spared."

The ACC boss also urged people of all walks of life, especially politicians and journalists, to unite against corruption.

The lust for money is like an addiction. It must stop for the sake of future generations, he said.

He did not comment when reporters asked him about former Basic Bank chairman Abdul Hye Bacchu, who is being investigated by the ACC.

Addressing the discussion, educationist and writer Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said the country would be free of corruption as it was born through the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of lives.

He urged young people to be honest and tell others to be so.

"The purpose of life is not to sit on money. The wealth in this century is knowledge. We will use technology, but let us make sure technology does not take over our lives."

The ACC inaugurated a weeklong mass signature collection programme against corruption.

It also formed a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club attended by NGOs and anti-corruption civic bodies in the morning.

Transparency International Bangladesh in association with the ACC and Socheton Nagorik Committee organised human chains, seminars and photo exhibitions in many districts, said a TIB release.

Speaking at a human chain on Dhaka University campus, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said restrictions on the flow of information and expression of opinions begets corruptions.

He also hailed the government initiative to scrap Section-57 of the ICT Act, saying that the initiative would remove hurdles in the way of free flow of information and expressions of opinions.

He also urged the government not to include similar sections in any other laws.