United News of Bangladesh

Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz said on Thursday the importance of implementing structural reforms to establish a transparent and accountable state, which he believes, will pave the way for a prosperous future for the coming generations in Bangladesh. “If we can build an accountable state through structural transformation, future generations will consider Bangladesh an ideal place,” he said while presiding over a dialogue with Bhashani Onushari Parishad at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad. A 15-member delegation of Bhashani Onushari Parishad, led by its chairman Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Babul, joined the talks arranged by the National Consensus Commission. Prof Riaz said the country’s transformation can begin by forging unity similar to the past resistance against fascism. “We fought together against fascism. By forging the similar unity, we can initiate the process of change in Bangladesh.” He said people have aspired for an accountable state for the last 53 years. Former President Abdul Hamid leaves Dhaka for Thailand Recalling the mass uprising in July, he said, “Millions of people took to the streets and many sacrificed their lives. That was a clear message to us—that in the future, no citizen or youth of Bangladesh should have to give their life on the streets just to establish their rights.” He expressed the hope that the political parties and forces would reach a consensus. The National Consensus Commission is playing the role of a catalyst. “Political parties and people must unite in this cause. If so, it will be for us to achieve it.” The National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman said every political party and force fighting against fascism over the last 16 years has had one goal—to establish a democratic Bangladesh. The goal is to ensure no one falls victim to enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killings, an independent judiciary to protect citizens' rights, an accountable state where no prime minister or a person remains above the law or centralizes power. “We are moving forward with that objective in mind,” he added. Feni BNP leader arrested for public humiliation of two mothers Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were also present in the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.    

Land mines left behind by the Islamic State group in central Syria went off in two different locations on Monday, killing 10 workers as they were collecting truffles in the countryside and wounding 12, state media reported. According to Syria's state news agency SANA, the two mines exploded east of the central town of Salamiyeh. All the casualties were taken to a hospital in the town, the report added. It wasn't immediately clear what had triggered the explosions. It is not uncommon for mines left behind years ago, when IS controlled large parts of Syria, to go off inadvertently, usually when stepped on, inflicting casualties. IS was driven out of all the territory it once held in Syria and neighboring Iraq in 2019, but the extremists left behind countless bombs and booby traps, and large areas have yet to be cleared. The militant group’s sleeper cells still carry deadly attacks both in Syria and Iraq. SANA said the first explosion on Monday killed nine people and wounded two while the second killed one person and wounded 10. Read more: Israeli airstrikes kill 5 in Syria Earlier this month, IS sleeper cells attacked workers collecting truffles near the central town of Sukhna, killing at least 53 people, mostly workers but also some Syrian government security forces. The truffles are a seasonal delicacy that can be sold for a high price. Since the truffle hunters work in large groups in remote areas, IS militants in previous years have repeatedly preyed on them, emerging from the desert to abduct them, kill some and ransom others for money.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri’s Malay party has defeated its allies in the ruling party and the opposition to score a landslide victory in a second state election that could presage early national polls. Saturday's big win in southern Johor state by the United Malays National Organization, or UMNO, mirrored its victory in another state election in November and will embolden supporters to escalate demands for early general elections, which are not due till July 2023. The UMNO-led National Front coalition governed Malaysia for 61 years until its shocking ouster in 2018 due to a multibillion-dollar financial scandal. But the reformist alliance that won those polls collapsed in 2020 due to defections and the National Front made a comeback as part of a new government. READ: KL to cooperate with Dhaka on agricommodities: Malaysian Minister The new government, however, is plagued by infighting with the National Front, going up against some of its allies in both state elections. Although the parties have agreed to share power until the next general election, factions in UMNO are anxious to capitalize on its victories and revive its former rule. “This is a confirmation of recent trends. People voted strongly for the National Front because they want stability" following political turmoil in the past few years, said James Chin, an Asian expert at Australia’s University of Tasmania. A low voter turnout and a highly divided opposition were in UMNO's favor, he said. “Ismail Sabri will be under tremendous pressure now to call for general elections. UMNO wants to build on the momentum generated by its state victories. A big win in the general election will also mean that UMNO can rule on its own without a messy coalition,” Chin said. Ismail was greeted with chants of “dissolve Parliament” when he arrived at a National Front center in Johor late Saturday ahead of the announcement of full official results. The Front secured 40 out of the 56 state seats. Its allies in the ruling coalition only won three seats while the opposition took 13. Chin said UMNO itself is divided and the premier, who is a second-tier leader in UMNO, is likely to try and delay national polls as he may be replaced if the National Front wins. Ismail took over the helm just seven months ago after his predecessor, from another party in the ruling coalition, resigned due to defections. UMNO’s president can't take the top job as he is fighting a corruption charge. Ismail's government has a thin majority, and he has inked a pact with the opposition for support in case there are defections. The state victories also appeared to be a remarkable turnaround for former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was a key figure in the campaigning despite his conviction and 12-year jail sentence for corruption. Najib is out on bail pending appeal and is also fighting dozens of other graft charges related to an international scandal involving the 1MDB state fund that has sparked public anger and led to his defeat in 2018 polls. READ: Commerce Minister urges Malaysia to set up industries in Bangladesh “The people’s voices are loud and clear. This is a people’s referendum ... They want stability. They want prosperity and development," Najib wrote on Facebook.