Information on ‘our’ assets should also be open, says Hafiz Ahsan

The new ACC commissioner dubs his role a 'sacred deposit' in consideration of the trust and credibility behind his appointment

Retired army officer Hafiz Ahsan Farid, the new commissioner (inquiry) of the Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, has said the information on the assets of those engaged in the prevention of corruption should also be open.

Speaking to journalists on the first working day at the ACC office in Dhaka on Sunday, he said: "It should be open whether we who work to curb corruption are corruption-free or not.”

"The people of the country should know how much wealth we had when we joined the work and how much wealth we will have when we leave this commission."

Hafiz arrived at the ACC office after assuming responsibility as the commissioner in the afternoon. He spoke to the media while leaving.

"Considering the trust and credibility with which I have been appointed, I think it is a sacred deposit from the government and the people.”

"Coupled with this deposit is the dream of the July-August uprising. This deposit is stained with the blood of our revolutionary martyred students and people. I will try my best to save the deposit."

ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen and another member of the commission, retired district and sessions judge Mian Md Ali Akbar Azizi, joined the work on Wednesday.

Hafiz did not take on his duties that day.

Earlier on Dec 10, a notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid announced the appointments of the ACC chairman and two commissioners.

On Oct 29, former ACC chief Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, and former commissioners Asia Khatoon and Jahurul Haque resigned from their posts, citing “personal reasons” amid a widespread reshuffling in the administration after the government changeover.

Moinuddin was once a senior secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. He took over as ACC chairman on Mar 3, 2021.

Although they were assigned to the ACC for a five-year term, they had to leave one and a half years before their term was completed under the changed circumstances.

The interim government formed a search committee to recommend candidates for the position of ACC chairman and commissioners on Nov 10.

Supreme Court Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque was appointed as the head of the committee.

The new chairman and two commissioners were appointed within a month of the formation of the selection committee to form the new ACC commission.