TIB says reform drive stumbled as interim government ‘caved to bureaucratic pressure’

TIB chief Iftekharuzzaman says the government failed to resist “anti-reform forces”

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has said the interim government’s reform initiative has been derailed after “bowing to a powerful faction of government officials”.

The chief of the Bangladesh chapter of Berlin-based Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organisation, made the remark on Monday at an event that presented a review of the government’s ordinances and reform initiatives.

He said the interim government failed to resist the forces that were against the reforms initiated after the July Uprising.

Surrendering to these “evil forces” means overturning many reformation recommendations and accepting numerous anti-reform decisions, he said.

He added that it set a negative precedent that permitted “unjustifiable violation” of the July Charter, which future governments may also be tempted to follow.

Iftekharuzzaman shared his observations on the ordinances issued by the government regarding the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Police Commission, National Human Rights Commission, public audit, revenue policy and management, cyber security, personal data protection, and national data management.

He praised the government’s initial steps, including the formation of reform commissions and the white paper committees, as positive precedents that ultimately failed to bring about the expected change.

Iftekharuzzaman alleged that neither the government nor the ACC gave due attention to the recommendations of the commission formed to reform the anti-graft watchdog.

He alleged that one of the most important strategic recommendations -- the creation of an independent selection and review committee -- was deliberately omitted, even though the ACC leadership had no objections and nearly all political parties had given their unanimous consent.

“Those who fear an effective ACC controlling bureaucratic, administrative and political corruption opposed it,” said Iftekharuzzaman.

The Police Commission Ordinance has completely shattered the long-cherished dream of forming a people-oriented force, he said.

He noted that the ordinance does not even use the words “independent and impartial”.

The provision to include the cabinet secretary and home secretary in the selection committee instead of citizen representatives, along with giving the government the authority to appoint serving government officials, essentially turns the Police Commission into a tool for the ruling government and retired police and administrative officials to continue abusing power, he said.

Iftekharuzzaman said the inclusion of the cabinet secretary in the National Human Rights Commission’s selection committee undermined the positive milestone of bringing institutions such as law-enforcing agencies, the armed forces, and intelligence agencies -- as well as related detention centres -- under the commission’s purview.

“A single provision is sufficient to establish government control over the commission," he said, noting the expansion of the scope for appointing government employees on deputation, which could threaten the commission’s independent functioning.

The absence of provisions to audit revenue assessment and collection under the Government Accounts Audit Ordinance threatens financial accountability, the TIB said.

It added that requirements to seek government advice and prior approval for contracts with international agencies, as well as for framing regulations and finalising the comptroller and auditor general’s reports, further weaken oversight.

The watchdog also warned that poor foresight in drafting the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance risks undermining transparency and fiscal discipline.

The organisation also described the failure to constitute the National Board of Revenue as an autonomous agency in line with international best practices as a missed opportunity stemming from the government’s lack of preparedness.