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Collective action is a must for combating our corruption

Published : Wednesday, 19 February, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 644
Dr Mohd Mizanur Rahman
Corruption remains one of the most significant challenges facing Bangladesh today. It permeates almost every sector, impeding economic growth, undermining public trust, and exacerbating social inequalities. While various measures have been undertaken to address this pervasive issue, they have largely been reactive, sporadic, and ineffective. To truly eliminate corruption, the government must prioritize a robust and proactive campaign targeting all levels of government officials. Without this strategic approach, efforts to combat corruption may continue to fall short.

According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, Bangladesh consistently ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world. From petty bribery at local government offices to large-scale embezzlement of public funds, corruption is widespread. It affects essential services such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, and public procurement.

A report by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) revealed that corruption in public procurement alone costs the country billions of taka every year. Moreover, ordinary citizens frequently encounter demands for bribes to access basic services such as obtaining land documents, utility connections, or even healthcare.

This systemic corruption not only hampers economic development but also erodes public trust in government institutions. It disproportionately affects the poor, who are often unable to pay bribes and are, therefore, denied access to essential services.

Previous anti-corruption measures in Bangladesh have primarily focused on punitive actions, such as prosecuting high-profile offenders. While these actions are necessary, they are insufficient in creating a culture of integrity and accountability. In many cases, corrupt officials exploit legal loopholes or political connections to avoid punishment. As a result, corruption continues unabated.

To break this cycle, the government must adopt a proactive and comprehensive anti-corruption campaign. This involves not only punishing offenders but also preventing corruption through systemic reforms, rigorous monitoring, and a cultural shift towards transparency and accountability.


A successful campaign must target all government officials, from high-ranking ministers to clerks at local offices. Corruption is not limited to the upper echelons of power; it is deeply rooted at all administrative levels. Therefore, a top-down and bottom-up approach is essential for meaningful change.

The first step towards combating corruption is changing mindsets. The government should launch educational campaigns to raise awareness about the consequences of corruption and promote ethical behavior among public servants. This can include workshops, seminars, and mandatory ethics training for all government employees.

For example, Singapore successfully curbed corruption by implementing a comprehensive education program that instilled ethical values in public servants from the very beginning of their careers. Bangladesh can adopt a similar approach by incorporating anti-corruption modules into civil service training programs.

A robust legal framework is essential for effective anti-corruption efforts. This includes tightening anti-corruption laws, closing legal loopholes, and ensuring swift and impartial judicial proceedings. Additionally, empowering institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with greater autonomy and resources is crucial for enforcing these laws.

Currently, the ACC faces significant challenges due to political interference and resource constraints. To overcome these obstacles, the government must ensure the ACC's independence and provide it with adequate funding, manpower, and technological tools for effective investigations and prosecutions.

Transparency is a powerful deterrent to corruption. The government should implement digital systems to minimize human intervention in public service delivery. For instance, e-governance platforms can be used for public procurement, tax collection, and service applications, reducing opportunities for bribery and embezzlement.

Moreover, all government transactions and expenditures should be made transparent through public disclosure platforms. Citizens should have access to information on budget allocations, public projects, and the financial assets of public officials.

An exemplary model of this can be seen in Estonia, where digital governance and transparency have significantly reduced corruption. Bangladesh can follow suit by adopting similar digital systems to enhance transparency and accountability. Encouraging public participation is crucial for the success of anti-corruption campaigns. Whistleblower protection laws should be strengthened to safeguard individuals who report corruption. Additionally, establishing anonymous reporting channels will empower citizens to expose corrupt practices without fear of retaliation.

In South Korea, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission operates an anonymous online platform where citizens can report corruption cases. A similar platform in Bangladesh would encourage greater public involvement in anti-corruption efforts.
To deter corrupt practices, the government must enforce stringent punishments and ensure swift justice for offenders. Lengthy legal proceedings and light penalties often embolden corrupt officials. Establishing special anti-corruption courts with fast-track procedures can expedite cases and deliver timely justice.

Bangladesh can learn valuable lessons from Malaysia's anti-corruption drive. In 2018, Malaysia launched an aggressive anti-corruption campaign targeting high-level officials, including former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was convicted in a massive corruption scandal.

Malaysia's success was driven by a multi-pronged approach that included strengthening anti-corruption laws, empowering the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), enhancing transparency in public procurement, and mobilizing public support through awareness campaigns.

A similar approach, customized to Bangladesh's socio-political context, could yield significant results. However, political will and public support are crucial for the success of such initiatives.

Implementing a robust anti-corruption campaign in Bangladesh is not without challenges. Political interference, weak institutions, and social acceptance of corruption pose significant obstacles. However, with strong political commitment, adequate resources, and public support, these challenges can be overcome.

The government must demonstrate its commitment by holding all officials accountable, regardless of their political affiliations. Civil society organizations, media, and the general public should be actively involved in monitoring anti-corruption measures.

Corruption is a deep-rooted issue that has hindered Bangladesh's progress for decades. Reactive and fragmented efforts have proven inadequate in addressing this complex problem. To effectively combat corruption, the government must prioritize a proactive and comprehensive campaign targeting all government officials.

By focusing on education, robust legal frameworks, transparency, public participation, and strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws, Bangladesh can break the cycle of corruption and build a transparent, accountable, and prosperous society.

The fight against corruption is not just the government's responsibility; it requires collective action from all sectors of society. Only then can Bangladesh move towards a future free from the shackles of corruption.

The writer is Assistant Professor and Research Fellow, Management and Science University, Malaysia


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