Dhaka, Feb 19 (UNB) – Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday told Parliament that the probe report of the Dr Farashuddin-led committee on the reserve heist of Bangladesh Bank is not disclosed for the sake of ongoing investigation by CID.

“The investigation process of CID is still going on. So, the report of Dr Farashuddin is yet to be disclosed so that it doesn’t influence the criminal investigation process (of CID),” he said in his statement delivered under section 300 of the rules of procedure in the House.

Noting that a USA legal firm, on behalf of Bangladesh, filed a case with a US court in January last, the Finance Minister said the process of recovering the rest of the stolen money is still going on. “I’ll inform the House through you (Speaker) in case of any progress in this regard,” he added.

Mustafa Kamal said it is unfortunate that international hackers stole US$ 101 million to Sri Lanka and the Philippines from Bangladesh's central bank account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York through their five false payment instructions in January 2016.

Immediately after the incident, the government took all possible measures to recover the stolen money, identify the persons and organisations involved in the cyber heist, and prevent the recurrence of such incidents, he said.

In continuation of this process, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police was given the responsibility for further investigation into the incident, he mentioned.

Bangladesh recovered US$ 20 million of the stolen money from Sri Lanka and brought back US$ 14.63 million from the Philippines, Mustafa Kamal said adding that the government’s activities to bring back the remaining US$ 66.37 million stolen money are going on.

Noting the cyber heist is an international criminal activity, the Finance Minister said several overseas organisations were involved in it.  With this consideration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the USA and the Philippines government started investigation into the incident on request of the Bangladesh government, he said.

FBI has already filed a case with the US court against the hackers, while a case has been lodged in the Philippines against those involved in the money laundering activities, he added.  

Having sufficient evidence from the FBI and the Philippines, Bangladesh appointed an US legal firm in June 2018 to file the case with the US court in the cyber heist.
 

Dhaka, Feb 19 (UNB) – Claiming that the upcoming upazila election will be a competitive one, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda on Tuesday directed returning officers to be alert to prevent the loss of lives over the polls.

“Many lives were lost in many cases during elections held in the past. There’re huge casualties. Returning officers will have to oversee it (violence) carefully so that the lives are not lost over the polls,” he said.

The CEC issued the directives while addressing a briefing arranged for the returning officers and assistant returning officers of the third-phase upazila parishad election, held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.

He asked the returning officers to try to dispose of any possible conflict even with their personal initiatives for the sake of preventing casualties.

Noting that the loss of any life is unfortunate, Nurul Huda said a life is very valuable. “Since the local government elections usually turn competitive, conflicts occur in the polls. You (ROs) will have to oversee it.”   

Pointing at the 11th general election, he said this upazila election will be competitive like the previous election. “The upazila parishad election will not be a questionable one.”

The CEC asked the returning officers to ensure a congenial atmosphere so that voters can exercise their voting rights properly in the election.

The four election commissioners and the EC Secretary also spoke on the occasion.

More than 480 upazilas, out of total 492 across the country, will go to polls in five phases this time.

The EC has so far announced the election schedules for the first three phases.

According to the schedules, 87 upazilas will go to polls on March 10 in the first phase while 129 upazilas on March 18 in the second phase and 127 upazilas on March 24 in the third phase.
 

Dhaka, Feb 19 (UNB) - Awami League mayoral candidate for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) by-polls Atiqul Islam on Tuesday said he will work together with others to build the North Dhaka city as a beautiful, modern and dynamic one if he is elected.

“It’s a tough job. But I think if we can embrace the word ‘we’ instead of ‘I’, everything is possible,” he said while addressing a roundtable discussion on ‘Dream Dhaka for the future generation’ as a special guest organised by Junior Chamber International (JCI)-Bangladesh at a city hotel.

Atiqul Islam, an RMG entrepreneur, vowed to continue the good works of former Mayor Annisul Huq if he is elected in the by-election. “I’ll introduce ‘Nagar Apps’ and ‘reward-punishment’ provision as part of ensuring civic amenities. The water-logging problem will be removed after reclaiming canals with cooperation from all,” he added.

The ruling party candidate also said he will ensure coordination among the 54 organisations under eight ministries to ensure civics amenities.

President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin was present at the programme as the chief guest.

Among others, senior FBCCI vice-president Sheikh Fazle Fahim, national president of JCI Bangladesh Irfan Islam and its national executive vice-president Sarah Kamal took part in the discussion moderated by JCI Bangladesh executive vice-president Amzad Hossain. 

Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a worldwide organisation of young professionals and leaders between the ages of 18 and 40. JCI Bangladesh is running its operation with around 14 local chapters with member base of around 700 and the local chapters are functioning to serve the community and society at the national level.
 

Dhaka, Feb 19 (UNB)- Awami League candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Atiqul Islam, on Tuesday said he would work as a servant of the capital’s residents if he wins the February 28 election.

“I promise that if I’m elected, I will try to carry out my duties with honesty. There won’t be any problem if I can work with honesty and boldness,” he told a views exchange meeting with business community at Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association Club in the capital.

He said Dhaka dwellers want playground, good pavement, getting rid of gridlocks and water stagnation. “Let’s make a healthy and modern Dhaka together,” he said.

“I will unequivocally try to complete unfinished works of former mayor Annisul Huq,” the former BGMEA president said.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants good governance in the country. “Accountability is needed for good governance,” he said.

Md Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Md Siddiqur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mansur Ahmed, first vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Mohammad Ali Khokon, president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) supported Atiqul Islam.

By-polls to DNCC mayoral post will be held on February 28.  The mayoral post fell vacant after the death of Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017.

Islamic University, Feb 19 (UNB) - A career planning seminar on ‘International Tourism and Hospitality Management-2019’ will be held at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia on Wednesday.

IU Tourism and Hospitality Management department and Regency Hospitality Training Institute (RHTI) will jointly organise the seminar at the Second Science building around 9:30am.

IU vice-chancellor Professor M Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari is expected to address the seminar as chief guest while pro-vice-chancellor Professor M Shahinoor Rahman, Treasurer Professor M Selim Toha and IU business administration faculty dean Professor Arabinda Saha will attend the programme as special guests.