DHAKA: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) urged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to avoid such matters like the recent inauguration of projects by its chief.

TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, in a statement on Sunday, inauguration of bridges and joining political programmes by the ACC leadership can create conflict of interest for the ACC and may create impediments for working freely and independently.

He added: “The ACC must be free from all sorts of political loyalty and influence. If the ACC leadership does not leave the ‘inauguration culture’ practiced by public representatives or ministers-bureaucrats, professionalism and image of the anti-graft body will be destroyed.”

Iftekharuzzaman said the ACC leadership must remember that it is not a government or political institution though the Commission was created by the government.

On Saturday, ACC chairman M Badiuzzaman inaugurated two bridges and joined a dinner party arranged by Laxmipur municipal mayor, also ruling party leader in Laxmipur.

BDST: 2145 HRS, FEB 02, 2014