Photo-collected.
Online Desk //

When asked whether he would contest the upcoming general election, Dr. Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government, said, ‘No, I am not a politician. I have always stayed away from politics. Only those people in the state who uphold ethics, follow rules and regulations and keep themselves free from corruption should contest the election.’ Dr. Yunus said this in an interview given to the Japanese newspaper Nikkei Asia. The interview was published on Monday.

Dr. Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government, said, ‘Election timing depends on the reform process.’ Before the election, we need to carry out comprehensive reforms in the economy, governance, bureaucracy and judiciary.

The advisor said, ‘It will take time to implement these reforms, because we are starting from scratch to build a ‘new Bangladesh.’ The interim government of Bangladesh has formed several commissions to reform the electoral system, constitution and judiciary. Professor Muhammad Yunus said that after receiving the recommendations of the commissions by January, full reforms will be implemented. However, the chief advisor did not agree to comment on the exact date of the elections. He said, ‘The timing of the elections depends on the reform process. Its results will determine the timing.’

Dr. Muhammad Yunus said, ‘In August this year, several hundred students were killed in a student-led anti-discrimination movement. After that, this student movement turned into a movement to overthrow Sheikh Hasina. Finally, on August 5, a student-public uprising ended her 15-year rule. She fled to India by helicopter. In October, the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and several of her associates.’

Dr. Yunus said that India will be informed about Hasina’s return after the verdict is passed. He said, “If the final verdict is against her after the trial, we will formally request India to hand over Hasina. Referring to an international law signed by both countries in this regard, he said, India will be forced to act in accordance with this law.”

He also said, “During Hasina’s 15-year rule, the country’s governance structure has been completely destroyed, the norms of democracy have been destroyed, Sheikh Hasina has staged fake elections without voters for three consecutive terms. And in that, she has declared herself and her party the winner unopposed. Hasina has done all this as a fascist ruler. As a result, a huge task of rebuilding economic stability and public confidence has fallen on our shoulders.”

Dr. Yunus proposed the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Bangladesh should build strong and cooperative relations with India on the diplomatic front. He also mentioned the inactivity of SAARC due to the hostile relations between India and Pakistan. Among the goals of SAARC are – freedom of movement among themselves like the member countries of the European Union, encouraging cross-border trade. Highlighting the potential of SAARC, Dr. Yunus urged India to de-escalate tensions with Pakistan.

Dr. Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – ASEAN. Bangladesh wants to see joining ASEAN as a promising opportunity. Expressing hope that ASEAN member countries will support Bangladesh’s efforts, Dr. Yunus said that the first step for Bangladesh’s accession to ASEAN will be to ensure a unanimous resolution to amend the definition of ASEAN. Because Bangladesh is trying to get out of the UN’s least developed country list in 2026, after which Bangladesh will no longer get preferential tariff benefits.

Malaysia is going to be the chairman of ASEAN from next January. In this context, Dr. Yunus said that he discussed Bangladesh’s membership with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He expressed his willingness to welcome Bangladesh to ASEAN.

Meanwhile, India has expressed concern about the security of minority Hindus in Bangladesh. Earlier, Delhi has stressed that Dhaka must ensure the security of the Hindu community. They claim that Hindu homes, businesses and temples have been ‘attacked’ in Bangladesh. However, Dr. Yunus rejected these sweeping statements of the Indian government. He said, ‘Most of what is being said on the minority issue is propaganda.’ He called on Indian journalists to come to Bangladesh to investigate and present correct information. Complaining that these are not being said based on correct information, Dr. Yunus said, we are working to provide an explanation to the Indian government against these misinformation.

In addition, Yunus called China ‘our friend’. He said, starting from the construction of roads and power plants to seaports, they are cooperating with us in various ways. He also said that Bangladesh will continue to cooperate with Beijing.

Regarding the large number of stateless and deprived of citizenship Rohingya people who have fled to Bangladesh to escape the repression of the Myanmar military junta, the chief advisor to the interim government said, “How long will Bangladesh bear this responsibility (Rohingya)? We need to set a clear destination and a common goal to resolve the Rohingya crisis.”

Bangladesh is campaigning for the establishment of a UN-administered safe zone in Myanmar. The chief advisor said that this would allow these large numbers of Rohingya to stay in refugee camps in their own country. If the situation there stabilizes, they will not need to be relocated to any other country, they will be able to return to their own homes, Muhammad Yunus mentioned.