South Asia News
Bangladesh appoints new anti-corruption boss
Apr 30, 2009, 14:32 GMT
Dhaka - Authorities in Bangladesh Thursday appointed a new head of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to fight endemic graft in the South Asian country.
An official circular said Golam Rahman, until now chairman of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, would become the third chairman of the anti-graft body since it was set up in November 2004.
Previous commission head Hasan Mashuud Chowdhury, who was appointed by the previous military-backed government, resigned earlier this month on 'personal grounds', saying the watchdog needs new leadership in the changed political atmosphere.
After assuming office after two years rule of an army-backed administration in January, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed in the opening session of parliament told Parliament that the commission should be reconstituted to ensure its accountability.
Mashuud's anti-graft actions during the interim regime had drawn criticism as the drive mainly targeted the politicians.
As many as 200 politicians, including Prime Minister Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, were detained during the massive anti- corruption drive led by the army-led joint forces.
In its corruption perception index, Berlin-based Transparency International had ranked Bangladesh as most corrupt country in the world for five successive years until 2004.
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