Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern and condemnation over Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam’s recent remark on roadside extortion, where he described it as “transactions based on negotiation.”
The anti-corruption watchdog urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to prioritise a “clean-up drive” within the ruling party to thwart such corruption-friendly efforts at the outset.
In a statement issued today, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the transport minister’s definition of extortion directly contradicts the firm anti-corruption stance declared by almost every cabinet member upon taking office.
He noted that it is “deeply disappointing” to see such remarks protecting the “cancer of the transport sector” only 48 hours after the ruling party’s election manifesto and the Prime Minister’s address to the nation pledged to effectively prevent and control corruption.
“By supporting and justifying the existing culture of extortion in the road and transport sector, the Minister is clearly attempting to legalise an unethical and collusive form of corruption,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
He added that transport professionals and the public are the direct victims who bear the burden of this illegality. TIB further argued that using “owner and worker welfare” as a shield for extortion is not only misleading but tantamount to protecting a long-standing system of disorder and anarchy.
The TIB Executive Director questioned how the government would control similar practices in other sectors – such as the BRTA, health, education, law enforcement, judicial services, and public procurement – if extortion is granted legitimacy under the guise of “negotiation.”
The statement reminded the current administration that in February 2012, the then-Transport Minister of the “fallen authoritarian government” had made a similar attempt to legalise roadside extortion based on the same theory.
TIB had strongly protested that “suicidal” move and expressed disappointment that the newly formed government appears to be walking the same path.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman called upon the Prime Minister to take immediate action to maintain public confidence. “To prevent a section of your own party’s activists from following this suicidal path, give the highest priority to a party clean-up and internal reforms,” he urged.
TIB warned that if the government’s declarations regarding corruption control turn out to be “empty rhetoric” for public satisfaction, the Prime Minister must immediately reject the Transport Minister’s statement and ensure exemplary accountability through proper processes.
