The newly appointed Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), former justice AKM Asaduzzaman, has pledged to restore the organisation’s image, assuring that the new commission will work to meet public expectations without succumbing to any pressure.
Asaduzzaman, along with two new commissioners, Jahangir Alam Khan and Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, attended their first day of office on Wednesday after the commission had remained vacant for 167 days.
Following their first day of work, the chairman and commissioners spoke with journalists in the afternoon.
“Today was our first working day at the ACC. We have started our work,” Asaduzzaman said. “We aim to work for the country according to the people’s expectations, restore the ACC’s image, and make appropriate efforts to free the country from corruption.”
Responding to questions regarding whether the ACC could function independently during previous political regimes, Asaduzzaman added, “We are under no pressure; we have started working. InshaAllah, we expect to deliver good results in the coming days.”
When asked about the most significant challenge in his new role, the chairman remarked that he does not yet consider the situation a challenge.
Regarding the status of investigations initiated during the Awami League government, pending files, and other high-profile cases, he explained that the commission had only just sat for its first day and had not yet reviewed such files.
“Let them come; you will see for yourselves what we do,” he added.
Asaduzzaman declined to make advance promises, stating, “We do not want to speak in advance… Otherwise, you will be the ones to raise questions later. Therefore, please give us the opportunity. We are working independently. Whatever problems come before us, we will be able to solve them beautifully”.
When questioned about specific plans regarding cases filed during the previous government, pending charge sheets, or the repatriation of fugitives and laundered money, Asaduzzaman noted that no files had reached him yet. He stated that plans would be developed as they work and that information would be shared through the commission’s press wing once they have reviewed the matters.
In a message to the public, Asaduzzaman urged citizens to wait and observe their actions.
“InshaAllah, the expectations of the people will be met; they will not be disappointed,” he said, noting that the commission has taken charge with the expectations of four and a half crore distressed people in mind.
Commissioner Jahangir Alam Khan called for the new commission’s work to be evaluated based on results, echoing the chairman’s sentiments by quoting, “A tree is known by its fruit.”
Commissioner Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan added that under Asaduzzaman’s leadership, the commission would make neutral decisions on every matter in the current political context.
