Hope, expectation, and the reality of reform efforts

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus meets editors of media outlets on 3 September 2024. Photo: PID

On 3 September, a group of media personalities met with the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's newly formed interim government, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, who invited them to discuss the current situation of the country and sought their opinions on certain matters. 

Most importantly, Professor Yunus, in a very respectful manner, wanted to know how long his interim government should run the country before arranging a credible national election. 

Almost all the editors of the influential English and Bangla newspapers spontaneously responded by  suggesting that the tenure of the interim government ought to be two to three years, depending on the time needed to establish a viable reform. It is also highly commendable that Dr  Muhammad Yunus encouraged the editors to write freely without fearing any obstacle. 

Undoubtedly, Nobel laureate Professor Dr  Muhammad Yunus is a highly praised and internationally well-known economist. However, he had never been involved in state politics. Despite this, all sections of the country's populace, who participated in the uprising to oust Sheikh Hasina's government, offered him the role of heading the interim government, and he is getting full-fledged support from powerful Western countries. 

Nevertheless, it was a wise decision on his part to engage not only with political leaders but also with nearly all the prominent figures in the Bangladeshi media. 

During the meeting, the editors of the Bangladeshi media emphasised the need to restore law and order in the country, which has not been functioning at a satisfactory level since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August. The citizens are deeply concerned, feeling uncertain and vulnerable in terms of law and order and price hike. 

We know Dr Yunus has a strong sense of justice and believes in democracy. However, one issue that threatens the credibility of his government is administrative chaos that is happening right now before him. 

It is true that the chaos in the streets has been gradually subsiding, but the fact remains that the government administration, semi-government bodies, and even some private institutions and organizations are still highly vulnerable. 

It is evident that the members and supporters of a particular political party are involving their followers in occupying offices in a manner that is reminiscent of "Char Dakhol" (a traditional method to forcibly grab newly emerged land from the riverbed).

Hopefully, we have seen the end of abuse of power, cronyism, corruption, extrajudicial killings, and forced disappearances—an endless list of degenerations that 15 years of unaccountable rule have brought us to." 

Undoubtedly, all patriotic people will agree with his sentiment. Noting this old trend, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman has expressed his deep concern and discontent to the media. 

However, the body language of the members of the interim government suggests that they are trying to appease all the political forces that were opposed to Sheikh Hasina's autocratic rule. 

I suggest these members remember the words of Niccolò Machiavelli, who said, "It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. The initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones." 

Therefore, you must demonstrate firmness so that, in the future, you can hold an election where the people's opinions are genuinely reflected. 

Remember, sir, this is the nation's last chance to be democratic in practice. If you can achieve this by showing impartiality, you will be remembered in history as the true hero of the country. We understand that you need time to fulfil the necessary requirements, especially in terms of reforms, and the people of the country will not be concerned about that.

This interim government is considered by the people to be the most reliable and responsible. Therefore, they should make decisions with a democratic spirit in mind. It is absolutely incorrect to claim that all the trials during the 15-year rule were biased, politically motivated, or driven by bribery. 

However, there is an unfortunate assumption that all those imprisoned during Sheikh Hasina's three consecutive terms should be freed as innocent. Please establish a judiciary that cannot be influenced by a group of people or lawyers from a particular party under any circumstances.

Government officials who have committed irregularities and corruption should be brought to justice through legal means. Reshuffling is also necessary, as bureaucratic tentacles have reached every nook and cranny of the country. 

However, there is an official process to clean out these corrupt elements. The way they are being removed by a section of the political force is not only a violation of procedure but also signals to the people that nothing will change—just old wine in a new bottle—which is completely unacceptable for an interim government that has promised to reform the country once and for all. 

It is not the duty of political party supporters to select or replace an officer based on their preference. If they get the chance to do that, the administration turns into a partisan entity. I think the interim government should follow the reports being released by media outlets. 

Additionally, they must use their judgement as effectively as possible to create a neutral, non-partisan administration capable of conducting a credible election in the future to uphold democratic principles.

Mohshin Habib is a senior journalist. 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.