Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman on Wednesday said positive changes in the country’s political and bureaucratic culture needs to establish an independent and ideal Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Bangladesh.
He made the remark while responding to a question from journalists at the ACC headquarters during the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ACC and TIB aimed at making anti-corruption activities more dynamic.
The MoU was signed by ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain on behalf of the commission and Iftekharuzzaman on behalf of TIB.
Speaking on ACC reforms, Iftekharuzzaman said: “There are no major obstacles to reforms. Among the recommendations we submitted, some can be implemented through government decisions, while others require political consensus. Most political parties have agreed on the majority of the issues, though some major parties, particularly those eyeing power, have issued notes of dissent.”
He added that there has been no clear progress yet on two key issues — granting constitutional recognition to the ACC and ensuring recruitment beyond the influence of the executive.
However, if the Reform Commission’s 47 recommendations are implemented, he firmly believes that an ideal and independent ACC can be established.
“But everything depends on whether there are positive changes in Bangladesh’s political and bureaucratic culture. Without that, no matter how many laws are amended, they will not be effectively implemented,” the TIB executive director stressed.
ACC and TIB have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further accelerate and accelerate the activities related to corruption prevention at the Commission's head office in Dhaka. On behalf of the ACC, Mr. Md. Akhter Hossain, director general (Prevention) and on behalf of TIB, Iftekharuzzaman signed the MoU.
The signing ceremony of the MoU was attended by the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Mohammad Abdul Momen, Commissioner (Investigation) Brigadier General (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid, Secretary Mohammad Khaled Rahim, and senior officials of the ACC and TIB.
Under the MoU, ACC and TIB will undertake various activities including joint research, training, and other activities, including mutual cooperation, public engagement, consultation, and campaigning, with the aim of raising public awareness, improving procedural excellence, and improving ethical standards in the prevention of corruption.
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ACC and TIB signed a two-year MoU on May 25, 2015 for mutual cooperation. Later, the second phase of the MoU was signed on June 5, 2017 for a period of two years and four months, the third phase for a period of three years on October 7, 2019, and the fourth phase for a period of three years on September 28, 2022.
In continuation, the fifth phase of the MoU was signed today for a period of five years from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2030.