THE connection between corruption and politics in Bangladesh is not new. It is widespread, and is a hot political and controversial issue. Feuding political parties often charge each other with being corrupt. The spirit of our beloved independence was to create a land without poverty, illiteracy and corruption. Unfortunately all the governments since independence indulged in corruption, and gradually it became the most acute problem. Unless we deter corruption we cannot try to solve the other problems. It is a major hindrance for true democracy and economical prosperity.
In 2011, Bangladesh was ranked 13th from the bottom in the annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by the Berlin-based anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI), only one position up from its position in 2010. The position is not satisfactory but better than our earlier sullying label of being ranked as the most corrupt country on earth five times in a row by Transparency International during early2000. There are endless instances of corruption, however, I would like to shed some light on the recent World Bank Loan scandal.
On April 2011 Word Bank (WB) agreed to sanction $1.2 billion loan facilities for the $2.90 billion Padma Bridge project. Shortly after that, in June 2011, an allegation was raised that 10% commission as bribe was demanded for giving the work of $4.70 crore to a Canadian company — SNC-Lavalin. In September, the loan project was suspended and WB sent a letter to the government to investigate the irregularity and to take action against the wrongdoers. Some of the high officials of
the government including the allegation and asked: corruption without receiv-
In November 2011, Commission (Dudok), called investigation, corruption. Our prime corruption.... otherwise facility " After that, early Canadian company were tant papers seized, gating team of Canadian June this year. After investi-report, and WB scrapped had proof of corruption of executives, and also cooperation of Bangladesh
This is a matter of dis-
the prime minister denied "Is it possible to indulge in ingthe money." Durniti Daman after carrying out their so-claimed that there was no minister told WB to "prove we will not accept the loan this year, 2 officers of the arrested and some impor-Consequentiy, an investi-police arrived in Dhaka in gation they submitted their the loan facility saying they Bangladeshi officials and because of nongovernment to take action, grace for a democratic
country, and our image as a nation has become tainted globally. Economists, civil society and many eminent persons fear that the cancellation may have negative impact on international donors, and urged the government to provide us with clear explanation for everything. Till today, we don't knowwhat actually happened and Dudokis still carryingout an endless investigation.
Our finance minister's statement, that it is the decision of its outgoing president Mr. Robert Zoellick and not of WB itself, is just a political response to the cancellation made to hide the government's failure. I wonder whether the ordinary people will ever know why the project was cancelled, or will it be covered up by political blame game like many other corruption issues?
For deterring corruption determination of the government is very much required. The government can implement a variety of measures and make new laws to ensure transparency and accountability of the representatives to their electorate. The power and independence of Dudok can be increased; new administrative bodies can be created for scrutinising government actions more efficiently; laws against corruption and right to information laws can be implemented strictly; and reports of Dudok can be made subject to judicial scrutiny for ensuring their accountability. However, this has been inadequately done in the last 40 years and may take many more years, and the question will always remain: "Who will bell the cat?"
It is now high time for the people to unite and raise their voice against corruption. The politicians have become audacious since they know that whatever they do, at the time of election, people will vote for their political party without considering the competency of the candidates. Therefore, we must act beyond political allegiance towards a particular political party and by doing thus we can keep a constant pressure on the corrupt representatives of the people and deter corruption.
The writer Is Lincoln's Inn Barrister, Associate at H & H Company.