‘Fake News’ Spreads About Corruption in Washington Nomination: Secretary Mokhles ur Rahman

Screenshots of Joint Secretary Zia Uddin’s messages regarding money exchange during the appointment of deputy commissioner are “fake news”, Public Administration Secretary Mokhles ur Rahman has said.

During a press briefing at the Secretariat today, he also said that he did not attach any importance to this news.

He said: “The phone mentioned in the news is iPhone. Do I use any iPhone? I use Samsung. Ask them who showed them what. I belong to a family of middle class. I don’t even use the cell phone offered by the government. I use my own number.

When asked if he would take any action, he said three actions had already been taken and a letter had been sent to the Ministry of Information to take action against them. A letter has been sent to the Minister of the Interior to arrest the person who issued the fake check. And the Bangladesh Bank has been asked to take necessary steps to stop opening such (fake) accounts.

“Anyone can say whatever they want. We work with the people who occupy our position in the government. I will continue my work as long as God wishes,” he added.

Controversy erupted after daily Kalbela published a report on September 24, claiming that businessman Mirza Sabed Ali had gifted a check for Tk 3 million to a joint secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration for secure the appointment of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Director Md Abdul. Awal as the DC of Naogaon. The report also claimed that the check was collected from the official’s office, although it was not cashed because the position was not granted.

Later in the day (October 3), the newspaper published another report accusing Public Administration Secretary Mokhles ur Rahman and Joint Secretary Zia Uddin of having a conversation during which Mokhles ur Rahman asked Tk 5 crore for a DC nomination while Zia Uddin offered double that (Tk 10 crore).