'We won't disappoint people': New ACC chief vows to restore credibility
On his first working day, AKM Asaduzzaman says the new Anti-Corruption Commission is under no pressure and pledges to prove its independence through its work.
Newly appointed Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman AKM Asaduzzaman today (19 August) vowed to restore the anti-graft watchdog's credibility, saying the new leadership would not disappoint the country's 18 core people.
Speaking to reporters on his first working day, the retired Appellate Division judge said the commission had already begun its work and would strive to meet public expectations.
"Today is our first working day. We have started working. We will not disappoint the people," he said, adding, "We will make every possible effort to fulfil the expectations of 18 core people and work towards a corruption-free country."
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Asked about complaints submitted to the ACC against leaders and activists of the Awami League -- whose political activities are currently banned -- as well as several business groups and former president Mohammed Shahabuddin, the ACC chairman said no such files had yet reached the newly-formed commission.
"We have only just taken office. Let the files come to us, and you will see how we work," he said.
Responding to questions about whether the newly formed commission would be able to operate independently, the ACC chairman said it was under no pressure.
"We are not under any pressure. We have already started our work and we will deliver good results in the days ahead," he added.
Addressing criticism over the appointment of the new commission, Asaduzzaman said those questioning the appointments were wrong.
"I did not come here through lobbying," he added.
ACC Commissioner Dr Jahangir Alam Khan urged the people to judge the commission by its performance.
"A tree is known by its fruit. Our work will be judged by the results we produce," he said.
ACC Commissioner Sazzad Hossain Bhuiyan also said the anti-graft watchdog would carry out its responsibilities impartially despite the country's current political circumstances.
Earlier in the day, Asaduzzaman, Jahangir Alam Khan and Sazzad Hossain Bhuiyan took charge and attended their first meeting with senior officials.
The government appointed the three-member commission through a gazette notification on 17 August. Asaduzzaman, a retired judge of the Supreme Court's Appellate Division, retired on 26 February 2026.
ACC Commissioner Dr Jahangir Alam Khan is a retired former secretary and an officer of the 1985 batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration).
Another commissioner, Dr Md Sazzad Hossain Bhuiyan, is a former member of the National Board of Revenue and served as chairman of the Financial Reporting Council, an organisation under the Ministry of Finance.
