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PM seeks national unity, vows to launch crackdown against corruption
DHAKA, Jan 25, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today vowed to launch a massive anti-corruption campaign as she delivered her first nationwide address, assuming office for the third consecutive term, also seeking a greater national unity on core issues.
“Now we need national unity. We have to go proceed together sinking all differences. The unity will be based on the spirit of the War of Liberation, secularism, democratic values, equality, justice, development and progress,” she said in her 25-minute televised address.
Sheikh Hasina said being the winning party Awami League constituted the government but “every citizen irrespective of their views and party affiliations is equal to the government”.
“We will work for every citizen, taking initiative to establish accountability and good governance in public service sector and uphold the rule of law at all levels of the national life,” she said.
The premier warned of launching a stringent anti-graft drive in her new term in office acknowledging the peoples sentiment against the persisting corrupt practices in different sectors.
“I know there is unhappiness about corruption at all level of society . . . the government will go tough in execution the law to uproot corruption,” she said.
The premier said information technology facilities would be used to detect sector-wise corruption but insisted that participation of mass people in the anti-graft drive was very crucial to stamp out corruption.
She said also urged media to extend support the government in spearheading the anti-graft campaign.
Sheikh Hasina said the drive against drug and militancy would continue simultaneously to build a peaceful society, where there would have no envy and hatred among the people of any faith.
The premier urged the opposition members elected to Jatiya Sangsad in the December 30 elections to join the parliament session assuring them of giving proper value to all their proposals and criticism whatever their strength in the house.
“The number of opposition members is very low in the 11th Parliament. But we will not consider them on the basis of their strength rather value them on the basis of the rationality of their argument,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina added: “Jatiya Sangsad will be the focal point of all development.”
She said a section of Bangladeshi youths became involved with terrorism and militancy as they were misguided at the instigation of some local and alien groups and sounded a strong note of warning against these elements.
“There is no room for terrorism in Islam as the religion always preached for peace,” Sheikh Hasina said.
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