The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ramped up its efforts to tackle corruption in Bangladesh, focusing not only on investigations and legal proceedings but also on prevention and raising public awareness.
ACC officials are actively working to address corruption through rapid investigations, filing of charges, and swift action against influential figures, including politicians, top businessmen, and bureaucrats, based on specific complaints.
In addition to legal action, the Commission is conducting sting operations in various parts of the country, including the capital, to apprehend individuals involved in bribery and corruption.
ACC's Enforcement Team is also actively carrying out surprise inspections of government and semi-government institutions, as well as service providers, to uncover daily irregularities, corruption, and harassment of service seekers.
Furthermore, ACC is taking an active role in preventing corruption by organising public hearings across districts.
These hearings are being attended by the full commission, including Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen and the two commissioners, an unprecedented level of participation compared to previous commissions.
The commission's public hearings are aimed at both combating corruption and raising public awareness.
Akhtar Hossain, spokesperson and director-general (Prevention) of ACC, told the media, "Combating and preventing corruption is a regular part of ACC's mandate. In addition to investigations, filing cases, and issuing charge sheets, we are also focusing on creating awareness through public hearings and other preventive activities."
ACC has also been organising anti-corruption seminars, rallies, debates, and writing competitions across districts to foster greater public awareness. According to ACC sources, these initiatives are intended to create a more informed public that actively participates in the fight against corruption.
Since taking office in December, Dr Momen's commission has made significant strides in revitalising the anti-corruption drive, with an emphasis on both enforcement and prevention.
The commission's active presence at public hearings is seen as a new dimension in their efforts, which contrasts with the previous commission's lower level of involvement in such events.
For instance, the previous commission under Moinuddin Abdullah did not hold any public hearings during its tenure from July of the previous year to June of the current year. However, the current Commission has rescheduled hearings from that period and has begun holding them across various districts.
The first public hearing, held on 29 January in Cumilla, received a strong response from the local community, with Dr. Momen and the two Commissioners in attendance.
Subsequent hearings in Pabna on 26 February, Nilphamari on 20 April, and Lalmonirhat on 21 April have further strengthened ACC’s presence in the fight against corruption.
The commission is also planning additional hearings in Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Khagrachari in the coming months.
In addition to the public hearings, ACC’s Enforcement Team is carrying out between five and six surprise inspections every day, based on complaints of corruption and irregularities within government and semi-government institutions.
If any allegations are substantiated, legal action is initiated, with the commission reviewing and acting upon the recommendations of the investigation reports.
This intensified focus on both fighting corruption and raising public awareness signals ACC’s renewed commitment to tackling corruption at all levels and across the country.
