Will recover laundered money by hook or by crook: Jamaat Ameer

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Ameer, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, has promised that if they come to power, they will "put our hands inside their stomachs" to recover money laundered out of the country and deposit it in the state treasury.

Making this commitment on Monday, February 3, while addressing a public rally in Cox's Bazar, he said, "According to Bangladesh Bank, about 2.8 million crore taka has been laundered abroad, which is about four times the national budget. This is the people's money. Thieves, robbers, and looters have sent this money abroad. We promise you—we will put our hands inside their stomachs to bring that money back and deposit it in the state treasury. Then Bangladesh will develop based on justice."

He asserted that the future of the country cannot be built under the leadership of the corrupt. He claimed that those who had previously remained silent were now forced to speak in favour of the 'Yes' vote, but he wanted their words to match their true intentions. He also said that those opposing the 'Yes' vote would be seen by the public as wanting to bring back fascism.

Regarding youth, the Jamaat Ameer said young people want dignified jobs, not "insulting unemployment benefits." He spoke of the potential to transform the Maheshkhali-Kutubdia area into a major economic hub better than Singapore or Hong Kong with honest leadership.