UNB, Dhaka :
Chairman of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Iqbal Mahmood on Monday warned that he will clean up the commission first to intensify its anti-corruption drive.
“Many say there’s a devil in the drum. I don’t disagree with them. I must drive out the devils, but I seek media’s cooperation in doing so,” he said while addressing an award distribution ceremony at the ACC head office on Monday afternoon. The ACC chief said newspaper and journalism are a must for democracy in a developing a country like Bangladesh.
Many bemoan that the ACC is a powerless entity, he said. “I also agree with them. The Commission has enough power which remains unused.” Mahmood said there are allegations that the ACC gives a clean chit to the accused in most of the graft cases. “But I can assure you if the Commission finds adequate documentary evidence against graft suspects, charge-sheets will be submitted before court against them,” he added.
He said, the Commission will soon announce a corruption prevention strategy incorporating short-, medium- and long-term plans to prevent the persisting social menace.
Welcoming media’s criticisms, the ACC chairman said pinpointing loopholes by the media makes them to be pure. “But, those criticisms must be constructive.” Earlier, Mahmood conferred ACC Media Award to five journalists for outstanding reporting on anti-corruption issues.
The awardees are Hokikat Jahan Hoki of Daily Samakal, Badruduza Babu of Masranga Television, Mursalin Haque of Channel 24, Fakhrul Islam of Rtv and Noor Ahmad of Daily Sylheter Dak.
Chairman of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Iqbal Mahmood on Monday warned that he will clean up the commission first to intensify its anti-corruption drive.
“Many say there’s a devil in the drum. I don’t disagree with them. I must drive out the devils, but I seek media’s cooperation in doing so,” he said while addressing an award distribution ceremony at the ACC head office on Monday afternoon. The ACC chief said newspaper and journalism are a must for democracy in a developing a country like Bangladesh.
Many bemoan that the ACC is a powerless entity, he said. “I also agree with them. The Commission has enough power which remains unused.” Mahmood said there are allegations that the ACC gives a clean chit to the accused in most of the graft cases. “But I can assure you if the Commission finds adequate documentary evidence against graft suspects, charge-sheets will be submitted before court against them,” he added.
He said, the Commission will soon announce a corruption prevention strategy incorporating short-, medium- and long-term plans to prevent the persisting social menace.
Welcoming media’s criticisms, the ACC chairman said pinpointing loopholes by the media makes them to be pure. “But, those criticisms must be constructive.” Earlier, Mahmood conferred ACC Media Award to five journalists for outstanding reporting on anti-corruption issues.
The awardees are Hokikat Jahan Hoki of Daily Samakal, Badruduza Babu of Masranga Television, Mursalin Haque of Channel 24, Fakhrul Islam of Rtv and Noor Ahmad of Daily Sylheter Dak.
