ACC chief’s remark on graft not clear: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today criticised the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman for his recent remark that “if government officials commit any mistake in good faith then it will not be considered as crime”.

“It is not clear to me what he (ACC chief) meant by mistake committed in good faith,” Quader told a questioner while addressing a press conference at the party President Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office this noon.

Responding to a query after attending the last session of the DCs conference at the Secretariat in the capital yesterday, ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmud said it will not be considered as crime if any government official commits any major mistakes driven by ‘good faith’.

“It is clear to everyone that doing something in good faith is not a crime. Even if it is something big (corruption), it also should not be considered as criminal offence,” he said.

“It is mentioned in the Penal Code that anything done in good faith cannot be termed a crime. It is called general exception,” Iqbal Maumud also said.

Rejection the ACC chief’s remark, Quader, also the minister for Road Transport and Bridges, said, “Corruption is corruption and the government will consider it accordingly.”

Responding to another query about BNP’s allegation that the government is hindering the party from carrying out its organisational activities, Quader ruled out the allegation and said, “It is nothing but a fictious comment.”

About the government’s relief work for the flood victims across the country, Quader said, “Our party’s relief-work teams have already stood beside the flood victims while the government is dealing with the issue sincerely.”

When asked about the future of Jatiya Party, Quader said the JP has secured victory in a number of parliamentary constituencies in the December 30 national election and emerged as a main opposition party in the parliament.

Those parties which take decisions in timely and fitting manner will survive in politics, the Awami League leader added.