President Mohammed Shahabuddin today asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officials to discharge duties maintaining utmost moralities and integrity.

“You (ACC officials and employees) show utmost morality while discharging your assignment. . . Do your duties impartially and show utmost professionalism to make the Anti-Corruption Commission as a place of people’s trust and confidence,” he said.

The president came up with remarks while addressing a gathering at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy here on the International Anti-Corruption Day 2023.

The day is being observed on December 9 every year since the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) on October 31, 2003 to raise public awareness for anti-corruption.

Calling for making the ACC a modern, professional and effective institution, the president asked the state-owned anti graft watchdog officials to be careful in their works so no innocent person becomes victim by any wrongdoing.

He also told them to serve the country and its people with patriotism, honesty and devotion being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War.

Referring to the ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption of the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said the corrupt people have no party and no principle.

The head of the state said the corrupt person whatever party he belongs must have to be exposed to the law.

He put emphasis on acquiring necessary technology based knowledge and skills through higher trainings, saying that the ACC men have to be more strategic and trained as well.

Pointing out that the strategies of corrupt people are also changed along with technological advancement in the era of globalization, President Shahabuddin said optimum use of information technology (IT) should be ensured to prevent corruption.

The president emphasized having sound knowledge of ACC’s policy-making level about the law.

With building ‘Sonar Bangla’ envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the ACC will play a leading role in the implementation of the Vision-2041, Delta Plan-2100 and building a corruption-free Bangladesh, he expected.

The head of the state said the celebration of the International Anti-Corruption Day will be beneficial only if the ACC play a role in establishing justice by carrying out the duties assigned to them without any liking or unliking.

The ACC should have to be accountable to the people as a statutory independent institution, he said, adding the people always expect the employees at all levels of the commission to show highest impartiality and morality during anti-corruption drive.

“Corruption is not only limited within Bangladesh . . . Corruption is a global problem, creating disparities in society, hampering economic growth and development,” Mohammed Shahabuddin noted, stressing enhanced public awareness to tackle corruption.

The president said, “If we want to fight corruption, we have to start from the family as family, social education, and religious sentiments can also play a very conducive role in preventing corruption.”

He also sought all-out fight against corruption so that future generations can grow up in a corruption-free environment.

Mohammed Shahabuddin, also former ACC Commissioner, shared various reminiscences during his duties as a Commissioner in the ACC from 2011 to 2016.

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, ACC Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, ACC Commissioners Md. Jahurul Haque (Investigation), Asia Khatun and ACC Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain also spoke.

-BSS.