A REPORT in The New Nation on Saturday poised a question why the government is reluctant to name the government officials directly involved with money laundering from the country. The government knows the officials involved but persistently avoiding disclosing their identity to the High Court which had directed the authorities last month to submit names and identity of money launders within a stipulated time.
The High Court acting on a suo moto said persons siphoning off money from the country are enemies of the state and demanded their details. The court passed the order based on a comment of the foreign minister who told reporters that he was surprised to see the number of government officials who siphoned off money and bought property abroad and they outnumber politicians.
He said the government has information on 28 such cases which include only four names link to politicians, the rest are officials and a few businessmen. He said it has proved wrong his hitherto held belief that the number of politicians are far higher running money out of the country.
Time has come and passed away for submission of report to the High Court this week but the government has failed to handover such information to the court though it has dossiers of the officials in its hand as per the foreign minister’s disclosure. The Anti-Corruption Commission report on December 17 to the court contained nothing to break the identity of the money launderers. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin told the court on this occasion that the authorities didn’t have enough proof over money laundering by government officials. It will submit information to the court when it will get enough information.
Now many may legitimately wonder why the government is so reluctant to reveal the names of the money launderers. Banks were stolen by big people facilitated by board members and sheltered by government leaders. Public exchequer is being regularly plundered by powerful government leaders and contractors to amass wealth abroad. Powerful officials are exploiting the government dependence on bureaucracy to win elections and stay in power. So a police officer or a deputy secretary can now buy a home abroad, offenders like P K Halder or chairman of BASIC Bank could escape.
It is government of thieve from top to bottom. The names of money launderers are known. Publishing their names will waste of paper unless the system can be changed and those responsible can be put before the people’s court. Public servants have to be for protecting public interest.
