'Man with long corruption record appointed public admin secretary'

Jamaat-e-Islami's Naib-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher today alleged that the government has appointed a "politically loyal" and "controversial" individual as secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, a position he described as "important" ahead of the national election.

"Two days ago, the government appointed a new secretary to the public administration ministry. We had earlier informed them that this post is extremely important before the election ...." the Jamaat leader said while addressing a human chain near the Matsya Bhaban intersection in the capital.

"But, to our surprise, just a day after that conversation (with some advisers), a person with a long history of corruption was given the post," he said.

"He is fully loyal to a particular political group and has held multiple positions within that party's student and political wings," Taher added.

He also claimed that some government advisers had assured his party that no partisan or controversial individual would be appointed.

"We emphasised that an honest, qualified, and neutral individual should be appointed."

The Jamaat leader accused the government of "re-politicising" both the civil and police administrations, and said were vital to ensuring a fair and neutral election.

He further alleged that "four to five advisers" to the government are controlling major administrative appointments to turn the current administration into a partisan one.

"I also spoke with police officials who said they are under severe pressure to make appointments favouring a particular political group," he said.

Taher urged the interim government to take immediate corrective action.

He claimed that his party possesses evidence of the alleged conspiracy, including names and recordings of those involved.

"We are not disclosing them to the public yet because we want to give them time to correct themselves," he said. "But if they do not change course by November, we will reveal their names."

Jamaat and seven like-minded parties organised the human chain, demanding that the proportional representation (PR) system be incorporated into the July National Charter through a public referendum. The demonstration, held from 11:00am to 12:00pm, stretched from Jatrabari to Gabtoli.

Reiterating Jamaat's five-point demand, Taher said the referendum on the PR system has become a "unified public call," but alleged that some groups were attempting to "twist the process" by suggesting that the referendum and national election be held simultaneously.

The human chain was presided over by Jamaat's Dhaka South unit Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul and conducted by Dhaka North Secretary Rezaul Karim. Assistant Secretary Generals ATM Masum, Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, and Abdul Halim also spoke at the event.