Members of Parliaments (MPs) yesterday slammed Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) for undermining the House by terming it a ‘stage for puppet show’. The MPs also demanded the TIB to apologise for its derogatory remarks on parliament saying it is tantamount to  sedition. On the back of criticisms by the MPs, TIB trustee board Chairperson Advocate Sultana Kamal, however, said her organisation would seek apology if the lawmakers specifically identify the wrong portion of its survey report on the current parliament.
During yesterday’s session, Opposition Leader in the House, Raushan 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 also urged 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. “He (TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman) also committed a seditious offence by terming parliament a stage for puppet show,” he said.
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 the TIB executive director, 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. Several other MPs also criticized the TIB for its remark on parliament and its proceedings.   The TIB, in one of its report on October 25, said the desired effectiveness of the national parliament is under question due to unprecedented appendage of the ‘so-called’ opposition party. Meanwhile, stating that the TIB would apologise if their mistakes are specified by the lawmakers, Sultana Kamal yesterday said, “If they clearly state why the TIB should apologise and if they specifically identify which part of the TIB report was wrong, the organisation can apologise for its mistake.” But they will have to tell us first which portion of our report was wrong and where we made the mistake, she said while talking to private television channel Independent Television.