DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced measures to tackle corruption following a series of scandals, including one involving her former household servant who amassed a fortune of US$34 million (S$45.6 million). Recent allegations have implicated a former army chief, a former police chief, senior tax officers, and state recruitment officials.
Ms. Hasina acknowledged the long-standing issue of corruption in Bangladesh and emphasized the need to address it. She highlighted the case of her former household assistant, known as Mr. Jahangir Alam, who reportedly used his position for lobbying, tender manipulation, and bribery. Alam, previously a low-level orderly, now owns a substantial fortune and frequently travels by helicopter.
The average GDP per capita in Bangladesh is US$2,529, making Alam’s wealth staggering in comparison. Opposition parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have used this incident to criticize Ms. Hasina’s administration. BNP spokesperson Mr. A.K.M. Wahiduzzaman expressed disbelief over Alam not being prosecuted and questioned the extent of corruption within the government.
Ms. Hasina, who won her fourth consecutive general election in January, has faced increasing scrutiny since May due to high-profile corruption scandals. The anti-corruption commission has initiated investigations into former national police chief Benazir Ahmed and former army chief Aziz Ahmed, both of whom deny the allegations. The commission has also frozen assets of several top tax officials accused of embezzling millions of dollars.
Additionally, police recently dismantled a gang of civil servants who were selling recruitment papers for job tests, generating significant illegal profits. These scandals have intensified the focus on Ms. Hasina’s administration, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption in Bangladesh and the challenges in addressing it.
The prime minister’s efforts to combat corruption are critical to restoring public trust and ensuring accountability within the government. However, the opposition’s accusations and the ongoing investigations indicate that significant challenges remain in the fight against corruption in Bangladesh.
