TIB worried at Modasser's comments

The Daily Star; Thursday, September 23, 2010;Bangla Desh;

Transparency International Bangladesh has expressed concern at the reported comments of prime minister's adviser Syed Modasser Ali that the government is not obliged to give health-related information to the media, and that only the ruling party-backed candidates have to be appointed in the community clinics.

The adviser's remarks regarding media's access to information go against the election pledge of the Awami League-led grand alliance government, and the goals of

Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2009, TIB said.

In a statement yesterday, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the comments of the PM's health affairs adviser about giving information to the media will destroy the prospect of establishing good governance and combating corruption created through the passage of RTI in the present parliament.

"We want to believe that the health adviser's statement will be considered unacceptable at the highest level of the government," Iftekhar said.

He also said if the adviser's comments about recruitment are not withdrawn, it will hinder growth of professional excellence in an important sector like healthcare.

The TIB executive director noted that it is obligatory to create a competitive environment with equal opportunity for all to get government jobs. But it is unfortunate that the adviser gave a veiled threat to officials in case only the ruling party men are not appointed in the community clinics even if they do not qualify for the jobs.

TIB thinks the comments by a person holding such a responsible position in the government will deter implementation of its election pledge of institutionalising democracy, establishing good governance and preventing corruption, Iftekhar said.