The parliament authorities for the first time have not rejected the report of Transparency International Bangladesh on the Jatiya Sangsad, acknowledging that it has contained many good points.
But some of the points referred to in the report on the first session of the current 10th parliament were motivated and it gave the wrong impression about the country’s legislature.
Chief Whip ASM Feroz yesterday gave a formal reaction to the TIB’s report, claiming that the Jatiya Party had been playing the true role of the opposition.
The Bangladesh chapter of Berlin-based Transparency International comes under attack every year from the MPs after their publication of reports on parliament in which the anti-corruption watchdog criticises the government for quorum crisis, poor law making and conflict of interests of the lawmakers.
While releasing the report on July 7, the TIB said the Jatiya Party had been suffering from identity crisis and it could not play the role of the opposition.
“We do not reject the report; it contains many good points. I hope the TIB will be careful in making future comments,” Feroz told a press conference at the parliament members’ club.
He said the civil society body like the TIB had very important role in a democracy as the government would correct its mistakes from their criticisms.
“The government has many successes that are recognised by the international community. But the TIB is silent. I hope the TIB in future will be more careful in releasing any report and maintain maximum caution in this regard,” said the chief whip, flanked by three whips.
Feroz rejected the TIB’s findings that the quorum crisis (absence of the MPs in legislature in time) cost over Tk80 million. “The claim that Tk78,000 is spent every minute for running the parliament has no basis.”
He also said the main opposition Jatiya Party had been very much active in the parliament as opposition to ensure transparency and accountability of the government.
“The independent and Jatiya Party MPs have been talking on many nationally important issues on point-of-order,” he said.
“So, such report of the TIB has created confusion among the people, also tarnishing the image of the majestic Jatiya Sangsad,” said the chief whip.
Replying to a question on the use of indecent words on the BNP, now having no representation in the parliament, Feroz said Tarique Rahman’s controversial comments on the war of independence and Bangabandhu had sparked debate in the assembly.
“The MPs did not speak in line with the party decision to criticise the BNP. The MPs were criticising the BNP from their own conscience and judgment,” he said.
Refuting the TIB’s allegation of the speaker’s silence for use of indecent words in the floor, the chief whip said Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury earned a reputation in running the legislature efficiently.
“Both the speaker and the deputy speaker reminded the MPs not to use unparliamentary language,” said Feroz