—Dr Fakhrul Islam Babu—

Bangladesh recently found itself abuzz with discussions about a sacrificial goat priced at a staggering Tk1.5 million. This phenomenon is symbolic of the rapid ‘development’ claimed by the nation, where goats worth Tk1.5 million and cows worth Tk15 million have become a reality. While the majority of citizens have become mere spectators, it is the corrupt officials, businesspersons and politicians who are actively playing the game.

Generally, we observe these events from grand stadiums. However, occasionally, we rise like comets when the risk is minimal. Recently, the editor of a widely circulated newspaper admitted that he knew about former IGP Benazir Ahmed’s corruption but lacked the courage to publish it. Discussing the goat buyer involves little risk, making it a safer topic.

Social media has become inundated with discussions about the goat. Initially, this appears positive. Ideally, government agencies should identify the corrupt, loan defaulters and money launderers. However, this responsibility has shifted to responsible journalists and netizens.

Social media has become a platform where people learn about the ‘thieves and swindlers’ and can express their views and make fun of the deprived and disenfranchised. Here, netizens bring criminals to the people’s court. This system, despite its harmful aspects, provides a necessary outlet. Without social media, many issues would remain hidden and unjustified.

goat sagaThe extravagant size, price, and ostentatious purchasing of sacrificial animals this Eid reveal where the country’s money is and who is busy exporting it. The institutional nature of corruption is enough to make the general public shudder. Many government employees have become reckless in their corruption.

Public university libraries have turned into preparation grounds for government job aspirants, who see landing a government job as a promise of financial and social liberation, offering the opportunity to exercise unlimited power. In the 21st century, what easier way is there to enslave others and become a master? Therefore, despite having top positions with university degrees, many rush towards executive power jobs. Given the limited salary of teachers and the obligation to engage in higher education and research, who would want to get involved in such a reality?

Even those with multiple options in government jobs seek positions with more opportunities for illegal earnings or to become more powerful. Recently, someone changed their profession from a government cadre to a sub-registrar job, being motivated by the corruption and illegal earnings in the land administration system.

Corruption is a syndicated crime and cannot be carried out by an individual alone. When corruption occurs over time, it becomes institutionalised—a network forms to carry out this crime, involving individuals at different levels who enjoy other benefits. Even lower-grade employees can amass mountain of wealth. We have seen drivers in the health department becoming owners of hundreds of millions through corruption!

Like the phrase “Size doesn’t matter”, rank does not matter in corruption. In this age of information technology, corruption at any level should not remain hidden. But it is kept secret through an unwritten agreement!

However, while the corrupt individual may reap various benefits from corruption, the country and its people suffer immensely. When a revenue officer engages in corruption, the country loses revenue. When law enforcement is corrupt, people lose their safety. When government doctors neglect their duties, people lose their desired healthcare. When judges are corrupt, people lose their last resort. Corruption is, therefore, a severe threat to good governance. There was a time when, at the end of a political government’s term, many corrupt individuals would flee during the caretaker government period, leaving behind their houses, cars and bags of money.

Nearly every political government in our country has declared a crusade against corruption before and after taking power, but they eventually distance themselves from those promises for some unknown reason.

The people of this country have become accustomed to corruption over many years. The culture of impunity has elevated corruption to its peak. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman lamented that he had inherited a “mine of thieves”! Despite his many timeless speeches against corruption during his lifetime, he did not get enough time to eliminate it. Post-independence, the government still needs to take tougher actions against corruption. Most governments have excessively indulged in corruption in the executive branch to prolong their power.

Rather than suppressing the corrupt, they have been appeased more often.

Due to corruption, despite having large budget volumes, the state is deprived of its desired revenue, and the public still struggles to receive its government services. On the other hand, people spend their days liking and commenting on Facebook, seeing the monstrous goats and cows of the corrupt. In the absence of visible strict penalties, corruption has become unstoppable. However, if the photos, information, and stories of corrupt individuals are responsibly spread in the media and social media, and they are socially boycotted, it might have some effect, just like what happened with this ‘goat’ incident.

In conclusion, the goat saga underscores the deep-rooted and institutionalised corruption within our society. While social media can bring specific issues to light and create public discourse, the ultimate solution is systematic and legal reforms. Only through stringent anti-corruption measures, transparent governance and accountability can the nation hope to curb this pervasive issue and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of all citizens rather than a corrupt few.

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The writer is President, Asian Club Limited, Hong Kong