September 18, 2025
DHAKA – Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today raised questions about the public administration ministry’s eagerness to purchase luxury vehicles at higher prices for ministers of the next elected government, despite the finance ministry cancelling the initial proposal.
The organisation, in a press statement, also stressed the need to investigate the reasons behind such “overzealous” spending.
It described the renewed proposal to buy cars at higher prices, after the first proposal was scrapped amid criticism, as a shocking repetition of the previous authoritarian government’s practice, where a certain group of bureaucrats indulged in excessive flattery towards potential ministers of the next government.
In a statement, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the type of transportation a minister may use is outlined in Section 6(a) of the Ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Remuneration and Privileges) Act, 1973.
According to the law, a minister is entitled to a government-provided car for use at all times, and ministers in previous governments as well as current advisers have been using cars.
“So why is the public administration ministry suddenly so eager — outside the law — to buy luxury SUVs for future ministers? This is incomprehensible. We urge the government to investigate the reasons behind this enthusiasm,” the statement quoted Iftekharuzzaman as saying.
He added, “If the interim government approves this car purchase decision, questions will arise over the rationale for giving it such priority. How can the government guarantee that the future ministers will accept this decision? Why is the government pursuing such a contradictory path, going against its own policy of spending restraint? Shouldn’t this be seen as inconsistent behaviour for a government committed to accountability and good governance? Who will take responsibility for this?”
The TIB chief said the decision to buy cars based on the proposal of a small group of overzealous, self-serving bureaucrats is unacceptable.
“We strongly urge the immediate cancellation of the proposal to purchase cars for future ministers and for the matter to be deferred for decision by the next government,” the statement reads.