ACC couldn’t meet public expectations

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was unable to meet public expectations, said its outgoing Chairman Iqbal Mahmood on Monday.

"I couldn’t meet public expectations but was able to send a message that no one is above the law," he said while addressing a view exchange meeting with the media at the commission’s headquarters in Dhaka, just a day before the end of his tenure. 

The outgoing ACC chief also said that there was no pressure from the government while he was carrying out his duties in the last five years.

“However, during this period, I had to refrain from taking some decisions in order to protect the image of the country,” Iqbal added.

Responding to a question, he said: “ACC is more powerful now. The commission is no longer a toothless tiger."

He termed the lack of skilled manpower “the biggest weakness” of the ACC.

“ACC, in the last five years, tried its best to prevent and curb corruption. The commission also did not bow down to anyone's power or influence,” Iqbal added.

Iqbal joined the anti-corruption watchdog on March 10, 2016. His tenure will end on Tuesday.

The government-appointed Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, former senior secretary to the Agriculture Ministry, as the next chairman of the ACC on February 3.