New ACC commission likely to be constituted this month: Secretary

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is expected to get a full-fledged commission, including its chairman and commissioners, this month, newly appointed ACC Secretary Md Saidur Rahman Khan said today (2 August).

Speaking at a press briefing after joining the ACC headquarters in the capital's Segunbagicha, he said the search committee had already finalised its recommendations and the government would now complete the process following the required procedures.

Asked whether the new commission could be constituted this month, Saidur replied, "We can hope so."

On 3 March, then-ACC chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen and commissioners Mia Mohammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid submitted their resignations to the cabinet secretary.

Since then, the ACC has remained without a full commission, with the posts of chairman and commissioners vacant.

"The prolonged absence of a full commission has created a major backlog in the ACC's activities, which needs to be addressed swiftly," Saidur said.

He also said a search committee had already been formed and had finalised its recommendations. 

The government will now complete the process of constituting the new commission following the prescribed procedures, he mentioned.

Saidur said the formation of the new government had created an opportunity to undertake reform initiatives.

"Good governance is the most important requirement for sustainable development. And ensuring good governance requires preventing corruption and building a corruption-free Bangladesh," he said, adding that the ACC would work to remove misconceptions and negative perceptions surrounding the institution.

He further said that there was no alternative to strengthening the ACC's institutional capacity to prevent corruption, ensure accountability and establish a just governance system.

The ACC would complete necessary preparations before the new commission takes charge, he said, adding that he would discuss pending issues with officials and take steps to resolve the backlog by prioritising matters based on urgency, government commitments and the work plan.

"The pending issues will be placed before the commission once it is constituted, and future activities will be guided by its leadership, direction and advice. I have come with a mission of transformation. We hope the ACC will undergo a positive transformation, which will become visible soon," the ACC secretary said.

On 22 June, the government formed a five-member search committee to recommend candidates for the posts of ACC chairman and commissioners. The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification, saying the committee was formed under Section 7 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque was appointed chairman of the committee, while the other members are High Court Division Justice Rashik-Al-Jalil, the comptroller and auditor general of Bangladesh, the chairman of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission and the cabinet secretary.

The committee was tasked with preparing a list of suitable candidates and submitting its recommendations to the government.