The worst people in society become members of parliament and ministers, while the most corrupt individuals rise to leadership positions, said National Parliament Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram.

He made the remarks on Wednesday (October 21) while addressing a reception as the chief guest at the Upazila Parishad auditorium in Tazumuddin, Bhola. The event was organised by the Tazumuddin upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations.

The Speaker said good people had no opportunity to contest elections and that a suitable environment for political activity in parliament had not been established. However, he expressed hope that the situation would change in the future.

Referring to the end of what he described as the Awami League’s misrule, he said a better society could be built in the country in the coming days with the grace of Allah.

Allegations Over Former Land Minister’s Overseas Properties
At the event, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad claimed that steps had been initiated to seize 400 houses in the United Kingdom belonging to Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, the former land minister under the Awami League government.

According to the Speaker, the British government took the initiative after receiving a letter from the Bangladesh government identifying the locations of the properties.

He further claimed that Javed owned 100 houses in Dubai, around 50 in the United States and between 30 and 40 in Canada. He alleged that these assets had been accumulated by misappropriating money belonging to ordinary Bangladeshis.

Claims of Wealth Accumulation by Awami League Leaders
Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also alleged that leaders and activists of the Awami League accumulated substantial wealth during the party’s 17 consecutive years in power.

He claimed that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son owned considerable assets in the United States, Canada and England.

Referring to allegations that wealth had been accumulated through looted funds in Begumpara, Canada, the Speaker said several political parties had exploited ordinary people’s wealth to enrich themselves.