Bangladesh’s Yunus says ousted PM Hasina ‘destroyed everything’

DHAKA — Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader, told Nikkei that the previous regime led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina “destroyed everything,” as he pledged to hold general elections only after ushering in constitutional and judicial reforms, including an electoral overhaul.

“We need comprehensive reforms in the economy, governance, bureaucracy and judiciary [before holding elections],” Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel laureate and microcredit pioneer, said in an exclusive interview on Saturday.

Bangladesh’s caretaker government has established several commissions to promote reforms in areas such as the electoral system, constitution and judiciary. The government would implement full-scale reforms after receiving recommendations from those commissions by January.

Yunus said, “Implementing these reforms will take time, as we are essentially building a ‘new Bangladesh’ from scratch.” He declined to say when the elections would be held.

“The timeline will depend on the reform process,” he said. “The outcomes will dictate the timing.”

Asked if he would run in the election, he rejected the idea, saying, “No, I’m not a politician. I’ve always stayed away from politics.” He added that “individuals who uphold principles, follow rules and procedures, and are free from corruption” should stand for election.

Over the 15-year Hasina tenure, “the norms of governance were destroyed, and we now face the monumental task of rebuilding — restoring democracy, economic stability, and public trust,” he said.

“Under her rule, democratic principles were entirely disregarded. She orchestrated sham elections with no voter participation for three consecutive terms, declaring herself and her party the winners unopposed … and operated as a fascist ruler,” he added.

In August, student-led protests against quotas in public-service jobs escalated into a demand for Hasina’s resignation after hundreds of demonstrators were killed. She was forced to flee by helicopter from her home to neighboring India.

Protesters shout slogans as they vandalize a mural of Sheikh Hasina, then prime minister of Bangladesh, with paint and mud, demanding her resignation of her in Dhaka on Aug. 3.   © Reuters

In October, the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant for Hasina and others.

“Once the trial concludes and a verdict is reached, we will formally request India to hand her over,” Yunus said, adding that under an international law signed by both countries, “India would be obligated to comply.”

On the diplomatic front, Bangladesh should build a strong and cooperative relationship with India. Yunus proposed reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has been largely dormant due to strained relations between India and archrival Pakistan.

SAARC’s aims included freedom of movement between bloc countries, like in the European Union, to boost cross-border business. He called on India to engage in realizing SAARC’s potential and to set aside tense relations with Pakistan.

The Indian government is concerned about the safety of minority Hindus in Bangladesh as there have been reports about attacks on their homes, businesses and temples. New Delhi has emphasized Dhaka must ensure the safety of its Hindu community.

Yunus said, “Much of what’s being said about this issue is propaganda and not based on facts.”

He invited Indian journalists to investigate these claims and report the reality. “We’re working to explain this to the Indian government and counter the misinformation,” he added.

In other regional relations, Yunus called China “our friend.”

He said, “From building roads and power plants to seaports, they’re supporting us in various ways.” He added that Bangladesh would continue to cooperate with Beijing.

Bangladesh also sees joining ASEAN as a promising opportunity, particularly as the South Asian nation is expected to rise out of the United Nations’ list of Least Developed Countries in 2026 and will no longer be eligible for preferential tariff treatment.

Malaysia will chair ASEAN from January, and Yunus said that he had discussed Bangladesh’s membership with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“He expressed his willingness to welcome Bangladesh into ASEAN,” Yunus said, although there are several steps to accession.

“The first step would be securing a unanimous resolution to amend that definition [of ASEAN] and include Bangladesh,” he said. “Meanwhile, we aim to gain recognition as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner within ASEAN, and we are optimistic that member states will support this effort.”

Regarding the Rohingya community, a Muslim minority group that had fled to Bangladesh to escape persecution in Myanmar, the Bangladeshi government has not allowed them to settle permanently and Yunus takes the position that they should return to Myanmar.

“How long can Bangladesh bear this responsibility? We need a clear destination and a shared objective to resolve this crisis,” said Yunus. Rohingya are stateless and have no citizenship privileges anywhere.

Bangladesh advocates the establishment of a U.N.-administered safe zone in Myanmar.

“This would allow the Rohingyas to stay in camps within their own country. If the situation in Myanmar stabilizes, they could return to their homes without needing to be relocated to another country,” Yunus said.

source : asia.nikkei