While speaking at the annual conference of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital on Sunday evening - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has warned that Bangladesh has deeply fallen into the grip of corruption, which is destroying the country. Moreover, the chief advisor pointed out that the international community expects Bangladesh to be free of corruption, as it directly impacts trade and investment. Without transparency, foreign nations are hesitant to do business with Bangladesh.
We are in full agreement with the chief advisor's warning.
Corruption is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh, but it has engulfed all spheres of the society at an alarming speed during the last 15 years. Between 2012 and 2022, the country's score fluctuated between 25 and 28, but the last two years have seen consecutive drops-24 in 2023 and now 23 in 2024. Moreover, this year's score is nearly 3 points below its 13-year average of 26.
Ranging from public examination question leaks, illegal amassing of huge wealth by scores of former and incumbent government officials, plundering of public banks by dubious corporate houses to unprecedented tales of money laundering, default loans crippling our public banks to rampant bribing taking place at public offices to dubious syndicates manipulating kitchen markets - it appears, no other country on earth better orchestrates organised corruption than Bangladesh.
However, Bangladesh ranks among the lowest in global corruption indexes, and the nation lacks integrity and discipline. Without eradicating corruption, no progress will be possible.
What is even more alarming is that Bangladesh's battle against corruption has hit a new low, as the country's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score for 2024 stands at 23-its worst in 13 years. For Bangladesh, the decline to a score of 23 marks a clear downward trajectory.
Unless the current spread of corruption is not deterred with extra-ordinary measures from right now, the entire development progress of the country will be buried under a massive shock of the iceberg.
In conclusion, it is not the chief advisor's job to investigate into corruption cases by running from one government institution to another. It is also not upon the country's Anti-Corruption Commission to exclusively combat corruption.
If other countries can successfully curb corruption, Bangladesh can too-provided there is determination and commitment.
We believe it is the collective conscience as a people to fight corruption - irrespective of class, creed, colour, political loyalty, wealth and poverty that is badly missing in today's Bangladesh.
