Hasan: TI’s Corruption Perceptions Index not credible

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Friday said Bangladesh’s position is worse than Pakistan in Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which is not credible at all.

Responding to a question, he made the remark on Berlin-based TI’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 at his official residence.

Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said like other NGOs, TI looks after the interests of those who provide fund for it.

“And according to the TI report, there is more corruption in Bangladesh than Pakistan, which is not credible at all,” he said.

The information minister said: “I have read the report. It said Bangladesh stands at the same position. But, as other countries obtained better scores, our position has gone down two steps.”

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“We also need to know whether Bangladesh’s position has actually come down or it occurred due to their systemic errors. Because we are informed about their various systemic errors,” he said.

Hassan said the TI is an NGO and the way its report is disseminated in Bangladesh, it is not published in other countries with such importance.

Before talking to reporters, he inaugurated a cultural festival of Rangunia Upazila Shilpakala Academy virtually in the evening evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Hasan said cultural festival is very important today in the present context.

“The more cultural programs will be organized, the country’s young generation will be introduced to our traditional culture and heritage,” he said.

The information minister said cultural activities will also help keep youths away from fundamentalism and militancy. Militancy cannot emerge in the areas where people practice cultural activities more, he said.

Rangunia Upazila Chairman Swajan Barua presided over the function while Rangunia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Masudur Rahman conducted it.

It is to be noted that Bangladesh slipped two places in the Global Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 released by the TI and was ahead only of Afghanistan in tackling graft among its South Asian neighbours.