Indications of what is going to happen to Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman in a follow-up to the hacking of Bangladesh Bank's reserve fund are likely to come as Finance Minister AMA Muhith holds a press conference today.
Yesterday evening Muhith held a meeting with the secretaries of the Finance and Bank divisions at his Secretariat office to finalise a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the hacking of the central bank's reserve funds, sources said.
Former Bangladesh Bank governor Mohammed Farashuddin was made the head of the inquiry committee.
An official of the Finance Ministry, however, told the Dhaka Tribune that they were yet to find experts on information technology and international trade for the committee. “It is very difficult to find an IT expert and an international trade expert,” the official said.
Muhith's Personal Secretary MM Zakaria Haque yesterday told reporters that the minister would hold a press conference today on the hacking of Bangladesh Bank's reserve fund at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, USA.
After a cabinet meeting yesterday, the finance minister told reporters: “I am waiting for Aitur.”
Ministry sources said the Bangladesh Bank governor talked to Muhith over phone upon arriving in Dhaka after attending a conference of the International Monetary Fund in New Delhi, India.
Asked if there would be any changes in Bangladesh Bank, Muhith only said: “I have taken the matter seriously.”
A minister who attended yesterday's cabinet meeting said:
“The finance minister once again expressed his discontent over the governor’s keeping the theft of $100 million reserve fund from him.”
The minister quoted Muhith astelling the prime minister: “The money was hacked and I was not informed! Isn’t it an act of audacity?”
The premier, however, did not say anything in reply.
While Muhith was expressing his grief and discontent, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader interrupted – apparently to change the topic and Muhith’s mood – saying: “Muhith bhai (brother) you are wearing a nice Panjabi today!”
A cabinet member told the Dhaka Tribune that this comment stopped further discussion on the fund heist issue.
Later, the finance minister held a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sources in the Finance Division said the government wants to sack the governor as the ongoing crisis tarnished the image of the Awami League government.
Atiur’s second time extended tenure as the governor expires this August.
On February 4, hackers stole more than $80 million from Bangladesh Bank’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and wired it to bank accounts in the Philippines.
