Nation Needs Real Reform and not Reform Drama for Hidden Agenda Monsur Ibrahim

Nation Needs Real Reform and not Reform Drama for Hidden Agenda

Monsur Ibrahim

Published on June 30, 2007

Current government in the beginning showed good hope to people and virtually saved the nation from a mockery of democracy by preventing a one-sided election and possible anarchy. Subsequently some of the actions of this government started raising questions among people. Now, not everyone loves them as before because their actions are not always fair, impartial and/or transparent. It appears more people are scared of the government than they support them from their heart. Let�s have a look on their �reform� agenda.

Every sensible, conscious and progressive person is in favor of reform. Question arises when �reform� is being used as a signboard to implement some one�s own plan, desire or hidden agenda. Recently, we are watching a series of �reform� drama in Bangladesh. The reform process in practice has no definite layout rather it fluctuates, has no consistency and is being directed and manipulated by �undercover� power. The way this reform process is going simply reminds us of a scene from Kurbani Eid; i.e. few people trying pushing a cow and forcing it down on the ground for slaughtering. Some people try to tie up the legs of the cow and others force it on the ground while the cow struggles to remain on foot and the slaughter-man (butcher/religious person) watches the whole thing from a distance. Once the cow is down and under control, the man comes with a big sharp weapon (knife/sword) and slaughters the cow. Now we can compare the men pushing the cow as the reformer leaders in each party (BNP, AL, JP), people trying to tie the legs of the cow as forces trying to tie up Hasina, Khaleda and Ersahd by isolating them, and the government as the man with the knife/sword � ready to slaughter the party.

It is very interesting that some leaders from BNP, AL and JP are working as lead reformers. Reform is definitely a very good step and a need of time. But the question is how and why these reforms are happening. Reforms should be spontaneous, from self inspiration and not imposed by any outside power. Questions arise when so called �reforms� are initiated and dictatated from an emergency born government who doesn�t have any legal validity and guideline. Questions arise when that government directly and indirectly backs some leaders to lead the reform process. There is no basic principle, guideline and/or statute for these reforms. It appears that reforms in these major political parties are being manipulated as desired by some powerful people in current government like Bar Moinul Hossain and Gens. Masud and Matin. People in general have nothing against reform, rather they welcome it but few people would support forced and dictated reforms; because at the end, this will not bring any qualitative outcome. It is apparent that the target of all these so called �reform� is ultimately to implement �Minus Two� theory and break up all major political parties and make them ineffective. Why? To finally place a Hamid Karzai or Noor-e-Maliki in power. Let�s see one by one whom this government has chosen as the lead reformers.

BNP Reformers:

BNP definitely needs the maximum reform than any other party. In recent past when BNP- Jamat was in power, we have seen the worst corruption, autocracy and crime of BNP-Jamat leaders and caders. The power of BNP�s chairperson was extremely enormous and the way she exercised her power can easily be compared with worst autocrat dictator leaders of the world. The Daily Star editor Mr. Mahfuz Anam in one of his commentaries called her attitude as �Queen�s attitude�. Per Mr. Anam, Khaleda�s attitude was that we should have been happy and pleased to get her as our ruler and as if she had no responsibility from her side. The immediate target of BNP reform is to get rid of Khaleda Zia. If Khaleda did any crime � which apparently she did, she should be tried and people should judge whether to accept her or reject her for the next government. Unfortunately, all of the present reformer leaders never uttered a single word against Khaleda in any forum or even in internal BNP meetings. When Khaleda became the Prime Minister in 1991 during her 1st tenure, she in her 1^st cabinet meeting proposed to change the name of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar as Zia Nagar. Some ministers applauded the idea, some remained silent and it was only late Mr. Mirza Golum Hafiz who objected to the idea. He said it won�t be wise to erase the name of Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Haque and replace that name by Zia�s. Khaleda Zia was very unhappy and upset and she openly expressed her dissatisfaction. She even didn�t go to see Mr. Hafiz during his last days in Sarwardy hospital. Many of today�s reformer leaders also avoided visiting Mr. Mirza Hafiz in the hospital simply because they didn�t want to make madam unhappy. I do not want to produce a laundry list but will give one or two examples of some reformer leaders chosen by this government.

Mr. Mannan Bhuiyan:

Once he was the most vocal mouthpiece of Khaleda Zia but didn�t advise her even for a single time about any of her wrong doings. He had a chance to make his dialogue successful with AL secretary General Mr. Jalil but he just obeyed and carried out Khaleda�s desire. How honest is Mr. Bhuiyan? Just one example. During Ersahd regime, his one time comrade from United Peoples� Party (UPP) Mr. Mostofa Jamal Haider was the minister for Works. Mr. Bhuiyan didn�t have his own residence to live. Government was allotting newly constructed apartments in Dhanmondi. Mr. Bhuiya�s wife was a teacher and he wanted an apartment in his wife�s name. His wife didn�t qualify to get a government apartment. Mr. Bhuiyan made a special request to Ershad via Mr. Mostofa Jamal Haider. Ershad told Mr. Haider to allot one for Mrs. Bhuiyan. She was allotted one newly constructed apartment in building �Balaka� at Dhanmondi Rd 7. In return, Mr. Bhuiyan promised to help Ershad on certain issues which were against his party BNP. That is, he sacrificed his principle for an apartment and made a secret deal with Ershad to sabotage movement against him. Ershad also gave him a handsome amount of cash gift to decorate the apartment. Mr. Bhuiyan now has gorgeous house built in posh residential area in Dhaka. There is a rumor that the �undercover power� of current government threatened Mr. Bhuiyan to take the lead or face corruption charges.

Mr. Kamal ibne Yosuf:

Mr. Kamal is from a Muslim Leaguer jaminder family in Faridpur. During BNP�s 1^st tenure, he was a minister for health. His brother Akmal Yosuf, his wife and his nephew all were engaged in corruption. They took huge cash for posting doctor�s in desired places. His nephew got the contract to purchase and install x-ray machines in all 460 Upazilla Health Complexes (31 bedded rural hospital). The tenders were controlled and work-orders were given at a very high rate. Even bills were paid in advance before x-ray machines were installed. The project was financed by world health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Some BNP cadre doctors didn�t qualify in written exams for post graduate admission but Mr. Kamal ibne Yosuf compelled IPGM & R director Dr. Taher to accept them. Bar Moinul Hossain has a close tie with this family � popularly known as Mohan Mian and Lal Mian;s family.

Mr. Sadek Hossain Khoka:

Mr. Khoka is the only Mayor who has not been arrested so far. In his young age after liberation, he got a stab injury while taking part in a hijacking operation and since then he keeps beard to cover the scar. Once Mr. Saka Chy exposed that story to media. Mr. Khoka lived on Chanda in the name of Brothers Union club. He had virtually nothing before he became a Mayor. Now he is a millionaire and is going to build a latest modern steal mill in Bangladesh. Numerous reports have been published in media about his huge corruption. An account of his wealth before and after her tenure as Dhaka�s Mayor would disclose everything.

During BNP�s 1^st tenure, he was a state minister for sports. Bangladesh sent a Karate team in Canada. Ten of the 21 member team didn�t know ABCD of Karate. At Mr. Khoka�s direction, they were given fake yellow belt certificate by Sport Federation. Of the 10 fake members, Mr. Khoka selected 5 and the then secretary of the ministry Mr. R� selected 5 at the cost of Taka 5 lakh from each member. It was a manpower business to smuggle those 10 into Canada via Karate team delegation. Mr. Khoka personally briefed his 5 selected members in his office in the ministry. He advised them to go to rest rooms as soon as they reach Toronto airport and then escape from there. This sounds like fairy tale but is fact. One of my close friend�s brother was also a selection by Mr. Khoka and is now living in Montreal.

Mr. Khoka is a close disciple of Bar Moinul by virtue of Ittefaq Office�s location near Brothers Union club. Mr. Khoka has been a core person of Brothers� Union since the birth of the club. Mr. Moinul regularly paid him chanda for the club and also to get support against his brother Monju. As long as Bar Moinul is powerful, Mr. Khoka will not be arrested and is now a reformer against Khaleda. Of course we didn�t forget that Mr. Khoka used to carry 55-60 kilo cakes to Khaleda on her fake August 15 birthday.

Mr. Saifur Rahman

After Khaleda�s family, the most corrupted family in BNP government is Mr. Saifur Rahman�s family. He, his two sons and his son-in-law � all have been exposed in the media. How Mr. Saifur built and maintained his �bagan-bari� by government manpower, money and resources are now exposed. His elder son is in jail. His other son is absconding. His younger son is the person who with the help of Tarek Rahman replaced the big diamond with crystal glass from state custody. The smuggled diamond was captured in Bogra, seized by administration, replaced by crystal glass and sold to one Singapore based Indian businessman. The whole operation was conducted by Mr. Saifur�s son. Bangladesh didn�t get a modern telephone deal because his son didn�t get the desired commission.

Some critics say that Mr. Saifur would have been an accountant if Bangladesh was not independent. Here are some quotes from Mr. Saifur as our Finance minister:

�The nation has rice crisis because foreign birds are eating up our crops�. Eminent journalist Mr. Shahjahan Sardar wrote a blasting article in Ittefaq against this comment.

�We have electricity crisis because more people are using cell phone and charging them off and on�. Definitely he is an asset! He is still untouched and a reformer � why and how? Is it because he has link with some world bank personalities and our current chief of government is also a former world bank bureaucrat?

Awami League (AL) Reformers:

AL has a different scenario and perspective. Since 1975, AL came to power only once in last 32 years. They did lot of development and specially kept the price of daily commodities under control. Sk. Hasina offered other parties to join her cabinet. Mr. Anwar Hossain Monju and Mr. ASM Robb joined her cabinet. She appointed a non-partisan neutral person Justice Sahabuddin as President of the country. I do not say AL regime was hundred percent perfect. In fact no government in any country is perfect. Always there is some corruption, nepotism and unfair activities with any government. But BNP-Jamat just crossed all limits and wanted to recapture power by force and muscle. Hasina never interfered with ASM Kibria�s decision. AL reformer leaders are not corrupts like BNP�s.

Tofael and Razzak are star politicians. Tofael, as DUCSU VP led the1969 movement against Agartola Conspiracy Case and got Mujib released. Students broke curfew and took bullets under his leadership. He has some controversial role on August 15, 1975 as political chief to look after Rakhkhi banhini. He also used to maintain secret liaison with Ziaur Rahman and had business relationship with Syed Iskandar. Mr. Razzak is a dedicated Mujib follower, one of the four chiefs of Mujib Bahini and later chief of �Sechcha Sebok� bahini. Mr. Amir Hossain Amu is a relation to Sk. Hasina and does not have any star value like Tofael and Razzak. He was always involved in politics of locality within the party. In 1990s, he was reported to be responsible for severe grouping inside Chatro League. There was a popular slogan against him:

�Chatro League khaisi, Awami League Khamu

Amar Nam Amir Hossain Amu�

Mr. Suranjit Sen Gupta is a veteran parliamentarian and was involved in personality conflict with late Mr. Abdus Samad Azad. All these AL reformer leaders are more recognized for internal grouping among Chatro League, Jubo League and AL. This was apparent during seven murder case in Surjasen hall, formation of Jasad (JSD), Division of AL into Razzak, Hasina and Mizan Groups (though Razzak�s group continued the name Baksal), and during recent reforms. The AL reformer leaders have just surrendered to the �undercover force�. This is a shame to their past glorious star value. By this time they need to understand that AL is the main target and they will not be spared after Hasina is silenced.

JP is no exception and Rowshan Ershad had been the most corrupted influence on JP Chief Ershad. People always blamed Ershad as a corrupt president and he definitely was. But, Ershad never brought his family into power and corruption. His brother GM Kader was not given any position during 9 long years of Ershad�s tenure and he is an MP by his own pursuit. His younger sister used to be a teacher at Vikarun Nessa when Ershad was president but few people even knew about it. The son of Ershad�s elder sister used to work as an engineer in BADC and people around him including his boss didn�t know that he was a nephew of the President. Where as Rowshan�s uneducated elder sister was made a state minister. Her husband was made chief of BOESL (manpower exporting agency for the government). Whenever a minister including Prime minister (Mizan, later Moudud and Kazi Zafar) and 3 Deputy PMs (Moudud, Prof. Matin and Kazi Zafar) during Ershad era stepped in Mymenshing, they had to visit Rowshan�s mother Sundari Begum at her residence 1^st before even going to circuit house. This was mandatory even for speaker Shamsul Huda and later Vice President Moudud.

One day Ershad�s army chief Gen Atiq called Prime Minister Kazi Zafar and told him that his job was in jeopardy. Why? Because on 10�0 clock news in BTV, Ershad was shown first with some program, and then speaker of the parliament and then Rowshan. Roshan was angry because she was the 1^st lady and was not shown before Speaker. She called Gen. Atik to let PM know that it was PM�s fault as PM was in charge of the Information Ministry. A veteran leader like Kazi Zafar had to swallow that and he called the then BTV news Direction Mr. Faruk Alamgir to �correct� it and show in the next news as per Roshan�s desire. Rowshan wasn�t happy and PM had to show-cause and temporarily suspend BTV news director. Of course PM was smart enough to handle that & reinstate the news director next day by convincing Ersahd. At another time, PM negotiated with the film industry people who were on a hunger strike at press club. On 3^rd day of the hunger strike, PM went with some ministers and convinced them to break their hunger strike. Again, Gen. Atiq called and said Roshan was extremely angry because she wanted to break their hunger strike. This time PM couldn�t even manage her via Ershad and left for Bangkok for his treatment!

Roshan is a power-greedy woman. She compelled Ershad to declare her as offical 1^st lady and enjoy all kind of government protocol though there is no such protocol mentioned in our constitution. Now she is leading the reformer leaders in JP. What outcome we are supposed to expect from JP under her leadership.

This is funny that all these veteran reformer leaders from AL and BNP are fighting to get rid of two ladies! They did not dare it few months ago. Now they are becoming courageous because government is behind them and giving all supports they need. Not only that, the �undercover� power in the government is also forcing hard on the two ladies so that these brave reformer leaders can win. I think these coward leaders who are surrendering to the undercover force should were bangles. They didn�t have the courage in the past, now they are like brave heroes because someone is pushing hard and cornering the two ladies.

Government�s Double Standard:

As days are passing, government�s motive is getting clearer day by day. People didn�t expect this much double standard from this government. Anyone trying to talk about their intentions and actions is being treated differently. Some examples:

Treatment of Hasina vs. Khaleda

Sk. Hasina is facing 4 cases filed by this government. Two were filed when she wanted to return home from abroad and two were filed when she wanted to go abroad. Three of the four cases are for extortion and one for Paltan incident. In none of the 3 extortion cases, cops could find any evidence so far. All the checks they pulled out from banks were issued to �self� and signed at the back by illegible signatures. In the Paltan murder case filed by Jamat, Hasina�s name is not even in the FIR. These cases are a quest to silence and defame her. Where as Khaleda is responsible for so many incidents during her last regime and still there is no case against her. If we believe government leaked Babar�s statement, Khaleda is involved in extortion cases at the expense of letting killers loose. Even if the money went to party fund, the collection was illegal and immoral because she let Basundhara chairman�s son and killers of Jamaluddin go at the cost of that money. Not to mention about hundreds of extra judicial killing by forces under Home Ministry of which she was the full minister. Still Hasina faces cases and not Khaleda because Hasina vowed that she won�t stop telling the truth and Khaleda is virtually silent. Some columnist recently wrote, Hasina is the only man in the country now and challenging all controversial steps of this government.

Political activities: banned for some.

Visitor�s for Hasina and Khaleda are restricted but not for Mannan Bhuiyan and Amir Hossain Amu. Suspected political discussion caused arrest and 3 months detention for foreign AL leaders who accompanied Hasina from abroad and were attending a dinner; whereas, political activities are allowed for Mr. Qureshi, Mr. Amu and Mr. Mannan Bhuiyan at their residences. They can even arrange political press conferences.

Selective arrests:

Not all arrests made by this government are justified. Brig (retd) Hanan Shah could not have any corruption charges as he was isolated from BNP politics for a long time and was not a minister or holding any powerful position during last BNP-Jamat tenure. Still he has been arrested along with his son because he was vocal about restrictions imposed against Khaleda.

Syed Iskander is free and safe and not even under investigation. Is it because he is married to the sister-in-law of one of the major architects of reform Gen. Masud?

Jalil, Selim are in jail because they were not silent but were demanding for opening indoor politics, and Mannan Bhuiyan, Khoka are out because they are silent about government�s activities and ready to serve government�s purpose.

Prothom Alo and Jugantor Editors are powerful and in favor of �imposed reforms� because Mr. Motiur Rahman is army�s mouthpiece and Mr. Golum Sarwar is a long term disciple of Bar Moinul since his days in Ittefaq. Whereas, Jonokantha editor Mr. Masud is in jail because he demanded government action on some corrupt issues that involves cantonment and of course the government was not interested to dig in.

Mr. Anwar Hossain Moju has been convicted for 5 years in jail. The reason of his conviction is because joint forces got some alcohol in his house. What a serious crime! The whole nation would have been finished if that culprit Monju was not punished! Why was this a priority to this government and what imminent threat the nation had from Mr. Monju�s alcohol bottles? Anyway, Bar Moinul cleared off his step brother enemy and opened the path for his son to contest the next election from Bhandaria seat � probably as independent candidate or from Mr. Ferdous Qureshi�s party. Time will prove it. And we have to learn that Bar Moinul Hossain�s priority is nation�s priority.

What is the real motive?

This government is not a typical caretaker government responsible for conducting a free and fair election. This government rather has an agenda. The Election Commission (EC) is not behaving as autonomous body at all. Initially, EC declared that reforms will be done in EC after discussing with political parties. Now, they have withdrawn that statement. Last BNP-Jamat government has done so much misrule and corruption that it was impossible for them to go back to power. The best chance was for AL and that is where some interested quarter interfered. They do not want AL in power. The conspiracy is deep rooted. Mr. Fakruddin is just a signboard and a nice civil face of the government. The undercover force has been assigned the real job.

This government wants to break all the political parties (except Jamat) like Zia did. JP and LDP have already done it. BNP is on the way to do it. It is hard to break AL but government is hitting hard. They are threatening the AL star leaders to cooperate or face jail. As sample, they have arrested Jalil, Selim, Kader and all popular Mayors of AL. They didn�t release Mayor Mohiuddin even though High Court wanted them to. These leaders are all popular and tough organizers. If they have done any crime, they can be tried but why they were denied bail. None of the Mayors would escape from the country.

Why all these reforms are being dictated and imposed? Why not let the parties do their own reforms. We saw Sk. Hasina as the most popular leader when President Yazuddin was driving the nation towards extreme chaos. Even Ersahd, B. Chy, Col. Oli, Kamal Hossain everyone took shelter under her. And today she has to be minused, why? Is it because she won�t serve the interest of Pakistan and some big powers? Is it because it will be difficult to manipulate our natural resources for the benefit of some richest corporations in the world?

Who would then serve the purpose and why all the major parties are required to be broken? At the end of the day, all that government wants is to serve the purpose of vested quarters and is trying hard to bring a Hamid Karzai or Noor-e-Maliki in power. Current available options are, Dr. Kamal, Dr. Yonus and Mr. Ferdous Quereshi. They need to minus Khalead and Hasina and also to break all major parties in order to achieve that.

That is why this �reform� drama. There is no urge rather than few mere statements to clean up partisan judges from higher courts, to clean up partisan bureaucrats and even the politicized police force. That is why interrogations are not done in front of an attorney but desired information is leaked to media.

Nation wants Real Reform and not �Reform Drama�

People would appreciate and support if current government focused on real reform instead of getting involved in conspiracies and making reform dramas. In most of the civilized nations including the USA and UK, it is the nation�s law and not the political party�s agenda that determines how many times a person can be head of the state or government. Our government can pass that law after discussing with political parties. Instead, they are involved in conspiracies with some leaders from different parties to minus certain leaders. It seems they have a plan to minus other leaders who would win in the elections. They need those seats vacant to let people of their choice win. As if the government wants to form a new team and wants that team to be the league champion. Instead of taking the path of fair contest, government wants to incapacitate major players of other teams so that their team of choice can win. This is not fair by any means. Let EC discuss with different political parties and prepare guidelines of reforms for all political parties; let government make some basic laws on tenures of head of the government, and let government punish the real culprits and make people more conscious. People will finally choose whom to accept or reject.

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Monsur Ibrahim writes from USA. He can be reached at [email protected]