Apologise or face the music, MPs to TIB [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

Apologise or face the music, MPs to TIB

Local November 10, 2015

MPs from across the board on Monday lambasted the Transparency International Bangladesh for undermining parliament by terming it ‘stage for puppet show’.
They also demanded the TIB apologise for its ‘derogatory’ remarks on parliament saying it is tantamount to sedition.
Taking floor on point of order after Magrib recess, opposition leader in the House, Raushon Ershad first raised question about the recent TIB report for calling Jatiya Party as ‘so-called’ opposition.
She said TIB actually undermined the people of the country by calling Jatiya Party a so-called opposition and also undermining parliament.
‘How much relevant was TIB’s statement that called us so-called opposition… it questioned the election (Jan-5 polls) and demanded a fresh election. How much logical were their remarks?’ she said.
Raushon asked the government to look into TIB’s activities and funding sources.
Joining the discussion, ruling Awami League MP Suranjit Sengupta gave the TIB a 3-day ultimatum to apologise with their head down, or else, he said, it will face the music under the Foreign Donation Act.
Suranjit, also the chairman of parliamentary standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry said, ‘Is TIB above law? Is it above the constitution, government and parliament? Is this parliament so helpless?’
Referring to a provision of the constitution, Suranjit said anyone who violates the constitution will be charged with seditious offence.
‘He (Iftekharuzzaman) also committed a seditious offence by terming the parliament a stage for puppet show,’ he said.
‘I want to give you (TIB) three days to bow down and apologise and commit that you’ll never make such remarks about parliament and constitution again. Otherwise…that NGO TIB will not exist… This parliament has the power. If their position is not changed and parliament can suspend TIB, we, even the prime minister, will have nothing to do,’ he added.
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed asked the parliamentary standing committee on privileges to summon TIB immediately to know their funding sources.
When two foreigners were killed and all economic indicators are moving towards positive direction, TIB made such a comment to hinder the progress of the country, he said.
‘When Khaleda Zia wants election and dialogue, TIB proved that it is a wing of BNP making the election remark,’ Tofail said.
Questioning the attainment of doctorate degree by TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman, agriculture minister Begum Matia Chowdhury said there must be a limit to their (TIB’s) audacity.
She said when the freedom of speech of people is snatched or the prime minister gets international accolades, then the TIB is not saying anything about that.
Jasad MP Moinuddin Khan Badal questioned why such educated people at the TIB are delivering such lies.
Independent lawmaker Rustom Ali Farazi said parliament is functioning well and called for summoning TIB by the parliamentary special privilege committee.
On October 25 last, a TIB report said the desired effectiveness of the national parliament is under question due to unprecedented appendage of the ‘so-called’ opposition party.