DHAKA, June 16, 2021 (BSS) – Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said stern action would be taken against those who siphoned off money and acquired illegal wealth.
“After proper investigations, action will be taken against those involved in money laundering or amassing wealth through corruption,” he told a regular press briefing on contemporary affairs at his official residence here.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has taken a zero tolerance policy towards corruption.
He said the government has also taken a harsher stance against the ministers, lawmakers, businessmen and bureaucrats involved in graft.
Coming down heavily on BNP for establishing Hawa Bhaban, the AL general secretary said Bangladesh had become the world champion in corruption five times during the regime of the party.
Claiming that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is working independently to check graft, he said many MPs of the ruling party were convicted and many AL leaders were sent to jail on corruption charges.
Quader said any candidate involved in corruption and wrongdoings will not get nomination from Awami League in the next elections.
Asking BNP to provide clear information about the corrupt people without making false allegations, he said according to the ACC, many cases are not being proceeded for lack of evidences.
“That’s why if you have any evidences related to corruption, give those (to the ACC) without making allegations deliberately and throwing stones in the dark,” he said.
Mentioning that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government is a media-friendly one, the AL general secretary said the boom of media in recent years bore the testimony of the government’s liberal policy.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stood by media personnel during the coronation crisis, Quader said the government put emphasis on implementation of the Ninth Wage Board for journalists.
He said initiatives have been taken to provide legal assistance for the safety and security of journalists and media workers.
In response to the BNP’s intentional and provocative statements, Quader said the Sheikh Hasina’s government does not do and will not do anything that goes against the interests of the country’s media workers.
He said BNP created a record of killing and torturing journalists and the party also brought sedition charges against journalists during its tenures.
Quader said the BNP, which is an enemy of media, is now trying to become a friend of journalists.
He assured that the Digital Security Act will not be misused against journalists in any way.