DHAKA, July 29 (BSS) - A survey of an international
anticorruption watchdog today revealed that most of the people
want to see an independent and effective anticorruption
commission (ACC) in the country.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) conducted the
survey over 3,998 people from all strata of society across the
country to know their perception on proposed amendments to ACC
Act 2004.

The executives of TIB at a press conference at National Press
Club today said 97 percent of the survey people have expressed
their desire to see a 'truly functional' ACC. The government
should seek opinions of the majority before bringing any
amendment to the act, they said.

"The government should move towards the proposed amendments
to the ACC act involving all stakeholders and after detailed
discussions in parliament on the issue," Prof Mozaffer Ahmed,
member of the TIB trustee board, said at the press conference.

The function was also addressed by Chairman of TIB Trustee
Board M Hafizuddin Khan, Treasurer Advocate Sultana Kamal and TIB
Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman.

On a question, M Hafizuddin said TIB hopes that the
government would make the financial statements of the ministers
and parliament members in public as part of its election
manifesto. Otherwise, he said, the government's drive against
corruption would be hampered.

According to the survey, 92 percent feel that all political
parties should come forward to strengthen the ACC as part of
their election pledges, while only 43 percent supported the four
basic proposed amendments to the ACC act approved by the cabinet
in April.

The four proposed amendments are: ACC needs to seek
government approval before taking steps against any government
official, government will appoint the secretary of ACC, ACC will
be accountable to the President and a provision for five years of
imprisonment for those filing false cases with malafide
intention.