TIB urges annual mandatory asset disclosure of MPs
Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has welcomed the recent declaration by elected representatives not to accept duty-free car and government plot privileges, describing it as a long-awaited and encouraging step toward dismantling a culture of discriminatory and authoritarian governance.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the move signals a positive beginning but warned that symbolic gestures must be followed by systemic reforms to ensure lasting impact.
“We must not forget that the core aspiration reflected in the July uprising and the 13th Parliamentary Election was for a welfare-oriented, accountable and corruption-free Bangladesh,” he said.
“Without effective prevention and control of corruption, no political commitment – however well-intentioned – can be meaningfully implemented.”
TIB called for the formulation and adoption of an integrated National Anti-Corruption Strategy and implementation plan.
The proposed framework, it said, should be based on the BNP’s 31-point reform outline for state restructuring, the election manifesto, the July Charter, and recommendations made by the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stressed that corruption remains a structural obstacle to governance. He warned that development projects, public procurement and other state initiatives risk being undermined by abuses of power, conflicts of interest, partisan favoritism, extortion, land grabbing, politicization of institutions, bribery, tax evasion and money laundering if safeguards are not strengthened.
As a key measure to ensure transparency and accountability, TIB demanded mandatory annual disclosure of income, expenditure and asset statements by Members of Parliament and all public office holders.
These disclosures, it said, should be published on official websites and updated every year.
Referring to Article 74 of the July Charter, which was adopted unanimously, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said all elected representatives should, within three months of assuming office, publicly disclose the income, expenditure and asset statements of themselves and their family members.
The same requirement, he added, should apply to all public servants and individuals whose salaries and benefits are funded by the state.
TIB expressed hope that the government would honor its election pledge to curb corruption through systemic and legal reforms while ensuring transparency and accountability.
The organization also called for constitutional amendments to prevent the abuse of constitutional and legal powers.
The proposed National Anti-Corruption Strategy, TIB suggested, should clearly define the responsibilities of the ruling alliance, opposition parties both inside and outside Parliament, as well as state and non-state institutions. It should also create meaningful avenues for citizen participation in strengthening integrity and accountability across sectors.
TIB concluded that while the decision to forgo special privileges has raised public expectations, sustained reform and institutional commitment will determine whether the promise of a corruption-free governance system can be realized.