“The Most Corrupt Have Become Leaders”: Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad

The most morally reprehensible people become members of parliament and ministers, while the most corrupt have become social leaders, said Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a reception held at the Tazumuddin Upazila Parishad auditorium in Bhola on Wednesday afternoon, October 21. The local BNP and its affiliated organizations organized the event to honor him following his election as chair of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Addressing the gathering, the Speaker said, “The biggest corrupt individuals have become major leaders in society. I do not blame you for this; the social system itself has become like this. There is no opportunity for good people to contest elections here. We have failed to create an environment in which honest people can engage in politics. But the country will not remain this way forever.”

He also expressed hope that, following the end of what he described as the Awami League’s misrule, Allah would show mercy to the people of Bangladesh and the country would be able to build a better society.

The event was chaired by Tazumuddin Upazila BNP President Golam Mostafa Mintu and moderated by the organization’s general secretary, Omar Asad Rintu. Leaders and activists from the BNP and its affiliated organizations attended.

After the reception, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad exchanged Durga Puja greetings with members of the local Hindu community.