Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said he does not have any mechanism to glean information about money laundering.

“I don’t have any mechanism of my own. I’ve received some information from newspapers. I believe the Bangladesh Bank has been working on it,” he told reporters while briefing them on the outcomes of the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase and Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday.

The Finance Minister, however, said there are some other government bodies responsible to collect information and bring the perpetrators to justice. “We’re taking legal action against them and they’re being punished as per law.” 

READ: ‘No idea who’re siphoning off money; give me a list’: Finance Minister

Mustafa Kamal said he has a plan to brief journalists soon about how many people have been brought under the law and tried and what kind of improvement made in this regard.  

“I’ll inform you about the steps I’ve taken and how many people have been tried,” he said.

Responding to another question, the finance minister said he supports the state minister for power and energy statement that petroleum prices need to be adjusted downward if and when the international market gets stable.

“Now the market is flexible, the prices of fuels are fluctuating frequently’, he said.   

No idea who’re siphoning off money

On November 27, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said he has no idea who are actually siphoning off money from the country and asked the opposition MPs to provide him with a list of money launderers.

READ: People’s interest in paying tax is growing in Bangladesh: Finance Minister

“I don’t siphon off money. I believe you (MPs) also don't. How will I be able to know of those who're siphoning off money if you don’t provide me with a list!” he said.

During the passage of Bankers’ Book Evidence Bill 2021, the minister came under fire by the opposition MPs for his “failure” to stop money laundering.