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A tip of the iceberg

TIB terms govt drive against graft, urges that no one be spared

Staff Correspondent
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday termed the ongoing action against the allegedly corrupt youth and student leaders "just a tip of the iceberg".
In a statement yesterday, the graft watchdog also called for "robust measures of accountability, sparing no one at any level."
Signed by the organisation's Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, the statement said the drive being conducted over the last few days are encouraging and will raise public expectation, though its end result in terms of effective control of corruption will depend on the extent to which it is comprehensive and sustained.
"What has been exposed so far out of the actions taken against a few youth and student leaders in last few days are terrifying examples of deep-rooted corruption in the name of politics under political protection, "the statement said.
Commenting that the revelations are shocking, but not surprising at all, Iftekharuzzaman said, "Political linkage and position of power have been viewed as license to selfenrichment at the expense of public interest for too long, irrespective of whichever party has been in power. It is only natural that corruption and abuse of power would deliver such outcomes. Corruption has been institutionalised at nearly every levels and aspects of life through connivance and collusion of business, politics, administration and law enforcement."
He further said it is now important to ensure that the drives are not swept under the rug, short of ensuring accountability of everyone involved at all levels.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “What has so far been exposed in last few days have not taken place in isolation, and is most likely to be just a tip of the iceberg. Similar scenarios are most likely to emerge if the drive is robust enough to uncover the depth and breadth of corruption elsewhere. Corruption and abuse of politically-linked power is no
monopoly of leaders of student and youth organisations in the capital and around, nor are other front organisations of the political party immune to the malaise. It is also no secret that the student and youth leaders simply follow and replicate the practices of their leaders in parent bodies who are also their role models in this regard.”
The statement also referred to the prime minister's remarks in the media, and urged that her announcement of tough action against party men who are involved in corruption and misdeeds be "firmly implemented”.
On a related note, TIB said it is "equally pressing and urgent" to ensure accountability of those in relevant academic and other institutions as well as administration and law enforcement agencies - "under whose participation, protection or collusion this ominous scenario has evolved".
It also called for a "drastic overhaul" of the institutions, with the principal objective of "their depoliticisation to ensure professional integrity, neutrality and excellence".