‘Everyone talks about ending corruption, but in reality, they engage in it,’ says Fouzul Kabir

Corruption, rather than fading after the political changeover, remains widespread because many people deliberately engage in it to benefit themselves, said Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan.

"Everyone talks about ending corruption. But the reality is, everyone practices it. Many people approach us asking for a scope, saying they haven't been able to achieve anything for the past 16 years. When we ask 'how?', they tell us to do this or that. Everything is as it was before. Another major problem is the bureaucracy, which seems impossible to fix," he said at the "Dialogue for Democratic Reconstruction: Security, Corruption, Energy," organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital today (18 September).

Fouzul blamed the previous government for creating legal and policy structures that institutionalised corruption, such as buying electricity and LNG at inflated prices and allowing secretaries in energy and power departments to sit on boards of subordinate organisations. 

"We have repealed laws and dismantled the corruption framework," he said, adding that the issue lies not only with individuals but also with systemic flaws. 

Reform process itself needs reform: BNP’s Moyeen Khan

"We are trying to break a bad system. My wife and I have submitted our asset declarations to the Cabinet Division, and we will do so when leaving office as well," Fouzul said.

He also warned of energy security challenges, citing declining gas production, old wells yielding minimal output, and a supply-demand gap of 1,000 MMcfd (million cubic feet per day). 

The adviser stressed that renewable energy is essential for future security and that energy costs have been reduced by recovering arrears.

Joining the event as a special guest, Abdul Moyeen Khan, a member of BNP's Standing Committee, said, "If there is no mutual understanding among political parties, no reform will work. Democracy is not ensured by pre-deciding everything and creating consensus in advance. In a democracy, there will always be differences of opinion."

"Over the past 15 years, a dictatorship had been imposed on citizens. The previous government wanted a system where no dissent was allowed. Even now, under the banner of national consensus, a similar tendency is visible. Why must we reach consensus on all national matters? On most issues, 70% to 80% agreement is reasonable, but 20% to 30% dissent should exist. If we now say everyone must agree, sign on paper, and then democracy will be established, that simply doesn't work," said the BNP leader.

Commenting on the programmes of some Islamic parties, he said, "Impatience won't work. There will be differences of opinion in politics. Citizens will elect who they want, and they will form the government."

On security, Moyeen Khan said, "If a state cannot ensure the safety of an ordinary, poor citizen, the state's security is worthless. Bangladesh also faces environmental, technological, food, social media, trade, and energy risks. To tackle these, we must move beyond conventional thinking and focus on the future."

ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), said the expected post-uprising changes to strengthen the security sector did not materialise. 

"Commissions exist in various sectors, but there have been no concrete initiatives on security. Even today, there is no national security strategy," he said.

Highlighting that Bangladesh faces major risks in water security, he said, "Unless internal and cross-border river issues are addressed, these risks will increase. The Rohingya crisis has shifted from a humanitarian issue to a security threat. New approaches are needed in border management. Bangladesh has become a transit route for drug trafficking and, due to its geography, is caught between US and China tensions. Myanmar's situation also poses regional risks. The country must strengthen its IT and hybrid warfare capabilities."

Muniruzzaman stressed, "Internal stability is essential for national strength. Political parties must reach a consensus on national security matters."

Subrata Chowdhury, executive president of Gano Forum, said the activities of some Islamic political parties have caused public panic. "Security cannot be ensured unless political parties act responsibly. Political programmes must not create fear. A democratic transition requires collective action by parties."

On the Rohingya issue, he said: "The influx is creating insecurity. Many have fled to Bandarban. Coordination with neighbouring countries is crucial, which requires political unity."

Regarding corruption, Subrata said, "News about university VCs and judges being entangled in corruption is emerging. The current chief justice spends most of his time abroad, and no one is monitoring the implementation of his 25-point directives."

Inam Ahmed, editor of national daily The Business Standard, said over the past 16 years, institutions were systematically weakened, enabling rampant corruption and looting of state funds. "Banks were overtaken at gunpoint, and Padma Bank was emptied. This is the outcome of absent democracy."

He emphasised the importance of independent journalism, saying, "Without democracy, our media had no freedom. As the Washington Post tagline says, 'Democracy dies in darkness.' If the press cannot report truthfully, democracy shrinks. Independent journalism is irreplaceable, and we must continue to defend it."

Inam Ahmed added that while a Media Reform Commission was established and submitted reports, progress is limited. "New pressures, mob culture, and tagging culture have emerged, creating fear. In this environment, the media's ability to act independently and strengthen democracy is a major concern."

Shafqat Munir, a senior research fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), said that drafting a national security strategy has become an urgent priority. "Security measures must be aligned with foreign policy, and smart technologies should be deployed for cyber and border security," he added.

M Shamsul Alam, energy adviser at the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said, "Reforms alone are not enough. We need democratic reconstruction to ensure that ordinary citizens actually receive their rights. If policymakers fail to engage in genuine dialogue with the public, reforms will remain mere words on paper."

Faruk Hasan, spokesperson and senior vice president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, said, "About 80% of police personnel were recruited from Chhatra League, the banned student wing of the previous ruling party. How can the public trust the neutrality of this force? Without administrative reform, free and fair elections are impossible."

Niloy Ranjan Biswas, a professor of International Relations at Dhaka University, said, "Unless proactive relations are established with neighbouring states and global powers, Bangladesh will struggle to address challenges of security and corruption."

Nazmul Haque Prodhan, general secretary of the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, said, "Failure to recognise dissent threatens national unity and security. Our continued culture of revenge undermines democratic progress and will cause long-term harm."

Parvez Karim Abbasi, Executive Director at Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), said, "Major powers are engaged in a strategic tug-of-war. Bangladesh must remain alert to avoid being drawn into proxy or shadow conflicts."

The session was moderated by  CGS President Zillur Rahman.