Calling for urgent action against bank looting, money laundering and corruption, Awami League Presidium Member Advocate Qamrul Islam said that if action can be taken against these miscreants, Sheikh Hasina will surpass Malaysia's Mahathir Mohammad.
He made this comment during the general debate in the budget session for the fiscal year 2024-25 in the JS on Thursday (June 27).
In the session presided over by Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, this member of parliament from the government party raised a question and said, if there was no corruption, why are the officers like Benazir and Goat scandal afraid of the law. Why run away from the country? Exemplary punishment must be meted out against them.
Awami League leader Qamrul Islam commented that the recent corruption news is part of the conspiracy. He said, I believe that all the incidents that are happening recently are part of the conspiracy. All of a sudden there is some propaganda against some corrupt, ex-officials as part of national and international conspiracies.
Referring to former IGP of Police Benazir Ahmed and NBR officer Matiur Rahman, Qamrul Islam said that although all these corruptions are suddenly emerging through national and international conspiracies. Even then, it must be acknowledged that those who are accused today, why are they afraid of the law? Fearing the law, why go abroad? Today, Mr. Benazir, why are the officers of the goat case afraid of the law? They seem to be corrupt because they fear the law. The allegations against them are true. It is part of the conspiracy. But still they appear to be true in their roles.
Former minister Qamrul Islam said, our Prime Minister is in state power for the fourth consecutive term. I believe she will surpass even Malaysia's Mahathir Mohammad. If action can be taken against corruption, tax evaders and miscreants I believe Awami League will come to power again, the current Prime Minister will be able to form the government again.
He said, now is the time to take action against them. As politicians, we are ashamed to see all these people as bank robbers or those doing such things.
MP Qamrul Islam said, I want to say once again that our Prime Minister is one of the most honest statesmen in the world. In our country, bank robbers, money launderers and all these corrupt people cannot smear us with chalk. They must be prosecuted on an urgent basis, just as they were prosecuted in the casino case.
This leader of Awami League said that today when our Prime Minister has established herself as one of the honest people. Her name is included in the list of 10 honest people of the world. There is no tolerance for those who commit corruption. Bangladesh Awami League has proved that in the past, BNP could not discipline its corrupt leaders and activists, could not bring them under the law. But Awami League has proved that even our ministers and MPs have been brought to justice. You must remember, a few days ago many of us were arrested and brought to trial in the casino case.
Advocate Qamrul Islam said that the policy of the Prime Minister and the government must accept this, 'our zero tolerance for corruption' policy. We are not exempting our leaders and workers from corruption in any way. The government is taking maximum measures against corruption.
Calling for strengthening the anti-corruption drive, former Planning Minister MA Mannan said, "We have many laws against corruption." But there is no visible implementation of the law. Corruption will not be tolerated. People reject corruption. Strict measures should be taken against corruption for the sake of sustainable development.
Member of Parliament Aroma Dutta said that the Prime Minister has been adopting a zero tolerance policy against corruption like an iron man. She is working according to the instructions of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. But some opportunists are tarnishing the image of the country through corruption. They should be brought under exemplary punishment. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu's declaration against corruption is still ringing in my ears, my farmer does not corrupt, my laborer does not. Educated society corrupts. She expressed hope that zero tolerance will be effective against corruption of Bangabandhu's daughter.
Independent Member of Parliament said the proposed budget positively. Hushamuddin Chowdhury said that keeping those who will implement the budget free from corruption is now a big challenge. NBR, ACC-like institutions cannot be progressed unless they are made trustworthy and transparent. If the ghost comes in the mustard, then how to chase away the ghost? He said, in the proposed budget, there is an opportunity to whiten black money. Surely there is a logical reason behind this. But we have to be careful not to encourage corruption through this.
Independent Member of Parliament Akhtaruzzaman said inflation should be reduced. The Finance Minister has planned for this. But the same model followed by the Finance Minister in the US has not been successful even in five years. He called the Finance Minister along with the concerned departments.