'Govt vows to take action against money launderers'

Staff Correspondent, from Parliament: Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina told the Parliament that the government is pledge-bound to take strict action against those involved in siphoning off money abroad and amassing wealth through unfair means.

The prime minister came up with her firm stance while replying to a starred question raised by treasury bench member Begum Fazilatunnesa Bappi (reserve seat-30) in the House during her question answer session on Wednesday.

She said one billion dollars as well as other property owned by the sons of Khaleda Zia were traced in Belgium, Malaysia, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

"Of them, 750 million dollars were traced in Belgium, 250 million dollars in Malaysia, while houses, markets and other property were detected in Dubai and Saudi Arabia ... this is under investigation," Hasina told the House.

Sheikh Hasina said reports mentioning Khaleda Zia No 3 in a list of corrupts of the world were published in different international media.

In this connection, the prime minister attached the reports published in media to her written answer.

The premier said Khaleda Zia didn't give any rejoinder of the reports published in the media.

Sheikh Hasina also issued a strong warning against looting and smuggling of public property saying that the government is pledge-bound to take legal action against the money launderers.

"I want to clearly say that looting and smuggling of the property of the people of the country won't be allowed. This type of misdeed will be unearthed through investigations and legal action will be taken against those involved in it," she said.

The prime minister also said the government is pledge-bound to take legal action against those who siphoned off money abroad which they earned through corruption or other crimes. To this end, she said, all government agencies are working together.

The Leader of the House said in this process over Tk 20 lakh smuggled by Arafat Rahman Koko were brought back from Singapore.

Besides, she said, the responsibility for bringing other persons involved in money laundering under the law immediately was reposed in the inter- organizations task force led by the attorney general, and other law enforcement agencies.

Sheikh Hasina said Khaleda Zia's other son Tarique Rahman siphoned off huge amount of money.

Tarique and his business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun smuggled money worth Tk 21 crore to Singapore's CTNA Bank in exchange for giving work to a foreign work jointly, she said.

The premier said not only Bangladesh, the FBI of the United States also carried out investigations.

To holding the source, she said, FBI Field Agent Debra Laprevotte gave deposition at a special court in 2012 and in this case Tarique was convicted for seven years by the High Court.

She said in the same way nearly Tk 6 crore were found in London's Nat West Bank.


risingbd/Dhaka/Jan 10, 2018/Asad/AI