As it appears her dismissal followed months of political turmoil over an influence-peddling scandal that has shaken the political establishments and business elites. But as we look to Bangladesh such punitive action against President not so unpopular gives us a different understanding about how democracy works and rule of law prevails against corrupt powerful ones.
Our Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also claiming to vigorously fighting corruption. Recently its Chairman boasted zero tolerance to corruption without knowing what it means and how courageous the Commission is ready to be. But the difference is that in countries like South Korea, as it appears the Anti-Corruption Officials fearlessly chase corrupt ones in higher seats of power. They did not lack courage to go against the sitting President to unearth corruption.
But the ACC in Bangladesh is only chasing corruption among minor government officials and small private businesses. Private corruption is generally excluded from the ambit of Anti-Corruption Commission. The ACC officials can also be benefitted from corruption of the weak ones. Our ACC cannot even think of going after big corruptions in high places of power. Our corruption is politically powered and protected.
The powerful ones have been left to enjoy almost total immunity from being investigated and put on trial while helpless people are easy victims of the ACC’s overbearing power. Normally small bribe taking cases are handled under normal law of the country. But our ACC is busy with paying compensation for trees acquired by the government. ACC officials have gone to pharmacy shops to find corruption. They even do not know where departmental actions are called for and where corruption is involved.
The problem with ACC is that it does not know how high is its responsibility to fight big corruption. Zero tolerance should be shown in going after big corruption of powerful ones because zero tolerance has to be shown by the government in high position. In India Prime Minister is assuring zero tolerance of corruption in his government.
South Korea’s prosecutors have set example how the Anti-Corruption Authorities work and should work in other countries. In South Korea after arrest of the President and CEO of the biggest South Korean company Samsung, everybody in powerful positions will know their power is no protection when it comes to corruption.
It is a shame that our ACC is also not serious about the position of law and pursues persons improperly for corruption. We request the ACC Chairman to have some law experts at least to enable it to file FIRs and charge sheets strong on law.
