Commentary: PM for Yunus as WB Chief
Is it a change of heart or a mockery?
Mahfuz Anam
After terming him the "bloodsucker" of the poor and relentlessly harassing him and forcing his departure from Grameen Bank that he founded and led to Nobel Prize stature, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Wednesday, requested the visiting EU delegation to use their "influence" to make Prof Yunus the next president of the World Bank.
On the occasion she also praised him, according to UNB news agency, for "his outstanding contribution in alleviating poverty through micro credit activities." The PM is also quoted to have further said that Prof Yunus has vast experience and enjoys an "excellent reputation in the world". She reportedly holds the view that Prof. Yunus' vast experience is a "valuable asset" that the World Bank, by making him its next president, can use for the benefit of the world.
This is for the first time we have heard anything positive from the PM about Yunus since she took power this time. Is Sheikh Hasina's change of heart for real? Or is it a mockery, with the underlying message, 'Take him away from Bangladesh?' We hope it is the former.
Countless numbers of us who have attended conferences abroad or who have done business with foreign companies, have faced relentless questions as to how the Bangladesh government could harass the very man honoured the world over.
The support that the international community extended to Prof Yunus was seen by our government more as Yunus' capacity to lobby to gather support rather than a sign of genuine respect that he enjoyed.
The spontaneity of the global outcry was totally lost on our government. It could not imagine, in its wildest dream, that another Bangladeshi, who wielded no political power, could have earned such a genuinely exalted place in the global scene.
So like a stubborn individual, the more the support for Yunus, the more the government stiffened its attitude and saw it as external interference in our internal affairs. Not for a moment did it ask why heads of states and governments were rooting for this private man who had nothing to show for his power except his reputation for the work he did for the poor, especially women.
Within the country the government, its leaders and especially the prime minister came under severe criticism for their narrow mindedness. Many termed the prime minister's attitude to be an expression of her jealousy, as some had convinced her that she deserved a Nobel Prize. She appeared to be mean, vindictive, too eager to denigrate people other than her family, and totally blind against people she dislikes for whatever reason and however unjustifiably. To make a long story short, her attack on Prof Yunus greatly diminished her, her party, her government and the country.
Nothing would please us more if Sheikh Hasina really meant what she said to EU delegation. It is never too late to correct a wrong. Yunus' possible presidency of the World Bank is of least interest to us. (It may be mentioned that the office is always held by an American, just as the IMF's stewardship is held by Europeans. On what basis our PM made such a request to the EU is beyond our comprehension). What is far more important for Bangladesh and we as a people is that we stop dishonouring a man who needs and deserves to be respected. We stop telling lies about him and about micro-credit that is being adopted in almost all poor countries of the world, some not too poor and a few rich countries as well.
As the age old saying goes, charity begins at home. So also respect for Yunus should begin at home, at the PM's home (figuratively speaking) to be precise.
If Sheikh Hasina believes what she said to the EU delegation about Yunus' work, his experience, his reputation then she must acknowledge that inside the country by giving him the respect he deserves. Given the ego our leaders have, it is too much to ask our PM to retract all that she has said about him in the past, especially after it proved to be all false. She would definitely gain the esteem of her countrymen if she had the maturity and the self confidence to admit that she was mistaken.
That said, we can ask her to begin anew. She can start by giving Yunus an audience that he has long requested for and removing the misunderstanding that has been exploited by many smaller people surrounding the PM. She can take steps to restore this man's prestige that she has so unfairly, cruelly but at the end ineffectively, tried to take away from him.
But, on the contrary, if she does not believe what she has said, then she has only made herself an object of ridicule. The world will know that she advised the EU and indirectly the World Bank and all its members to honour the very man she herself does not honour. What it will do for her own credibility and stature, not to speak of respect among her peers, is an open question. But it is one that should be asked by her.
It is our fervent hope that the PM's words signal a change of heart. We would further like to hope that she will act according to what she has said and try to heal this festering wound that has harmed us all so much, more her than anybody else. However, if her words turn out to have been just that --- words, without any substance or meaning --- then it will stand out as having made a mockery of us all.
Comments:
A very well written commentary. Only time will show what, if any, political maturity and personal grace our PM exhibits going forward.
: Amer Chowdhury, London
Well said, Mr. Anam.
M. Faruque
Friday, February 24, 2012 01:14 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
It is unbelievable!! A complete u-turn? Is it because her government is feeling the pinch as a result of their ill motivated efforts to discredit the person the whole world respects?
As Mr. Anam mentioned, the PM should know that the position of WB is held by a US citizen. On what basis did the PM come up with this idea to reqeust EU representative, instead of directing it to the US governmen?
Rezaul Bari
Friday, February 24, 2012 12:56 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
This editorial is written based on incomplete facts. It is strange that the editor is unaware of the recent developments at the World Bank itself. China only last week wanted a change in the selection process for WB presidentship. It wanted merit-based, transparent system, instead of a citizen-based one. Besides, Jean Lambert, the Head of the visiting EU delegation also talked about untenability of the way Directors are being selected in World Bank. A change in WB, IMF is imminent.
Shahriar
Friday, February 24, 2012 01:40 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Is she trying to cross his name from the possible chief coordinator for election list? There must be a motive behind this kind gesture.
WA
Friday, February 24, 2012 01:45 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Both you, I and also every intellectual Bangladeshi know well Hasina can only have ill motives for whatever she utters about Dr Yunus. She is jealous, hateful and scared of Dr Yunus. And like you mentioned, this latest mockery of a comment she has made about making Dr Yunus the president of WB is nothing but a naive attempt at taking Dr Yunus out of Bangladeshi politics. Don't you think it also came at the perfect time, right after the little but superb speech Dr Yunus delivered about how our politics has become dirty! lol, our PM is a joke, she is immature and childish! can't say any less about Khaleda Zia! All said and done, I want Dr Yunus to remain in Bangladesh, we need him more than anything else right now!
Roni Rahman
Friday, February 24, 2012 01:51 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
The main question is, did Prof Yunus himself request or express interest for this post?
If, not, then the govt. did a disservice for this unwarranted imposition on his name and prestige.
Mesbah
Friday, February 24, 2012 02:31 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Does the EU delegate have any authority in respect of appointing the President of WB? Isn't it that the appointment of the President of the organisation is completely beyond the delegate's ambit? Could Mr Mahfuz Anam please reflect on this? Professor Yunus has already highlighted why suggesting the appointment on the part of the PM was inappropriate, that too at this level!
Congratulations though for writing this article.
Jumana Sarwar
Friday, February 24, 2012 02:41 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
The mystery of Egg or Chicken has been solved. It's now confirmed the chicken comes first. The question you ask is way easier to answer, it is mockery.
Abdul Aziz Mir
Friday, February 24, 2012 02:52 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Fabulous, outstanding, brilliant, exceptional, admirable, tremendous, and excellent proposal of the century!! All our political leaders should be great minded like our Prime Minister!! Then our country will be like Switzerland !!!
within short period, definitely??? But...
.
Masudur Rahman
Friday, February 24, 2012 02:54 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Let the sun shine, let wisdom undermine ignorance, and jealousy- better late than never.
Saleh Tanveer
Friday, February 24, 2012 03:06 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
It should be noted that prominent American politicians had proposed Dr. Yunus as a World Bank president in the past, including an OPED in a prominent US newspaper about 10 years back; as far as I know he declined to be considered since he did not want to leave BD. However, he was involved in advisory capacity as the Chairman of the Policy Advisory Group for the CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest), World Bank, Washington DC, USA (1995 - 2000).
Dr. S. A. Miah
Friday, February 24, 2012 03:16 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
With the flatterers around her, the PM does not and even now do not understand what to do or what to say. Sometimes she talks deliriously. Even she did not hesitate to say that saving the journalists (Runi and Sagor) in their bedroom is not the duty of the government. What an unfortunate exclamation from an elected P.M. of our wretched country!
Eliza, Canada
Friday, February 24, 2012 03:31 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Can we embarrass ourselves any further?
Md. Ashrafuzzaman, D.Sc.
Friday, February 24, 2012 03:38 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Politics is also a social work but social work is never politics. Politicians need to honor social workers and to certainly abstain from executing mockery with them for the welfare of the societies and components there in. Prof Yunus is like a distant star for our PM but a next door neighbor for the poors.
Yamuna Zaman
Friday, February 24, 2012 03:38 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Minus Yunus strategy??
Nevertheless, Dr. Yunus and the EU members have probably been laughing at her (privately). Her proposal does NOT fit any equation of her past and she obviously can't fool Yunus anyway!
Zahir Sadeque
Friday, February 24, 2012 03:39 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
@ Rezaul Bari, The commentary is not based on incomplete or erroneous information. What he refers to are all in the realm of talks not what is practiced until now. There was some noises along the same line before C. Lagarde was appointed IMF Chief after DSK's resignation, but what happened if I may ask Mr. Bari? Besides, the Editor very candidly stated what is the practice of appointing WB & IMF chiefs, not calling it immutable or anything else. I think instead of commending the bold editorial some people are nitpicking.
Robin
Friday, February 24, 2012 03:47 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Hasina's ignorance about the WB President selection process makes her a laughing stock.
By harassing Dr. Yunus, Hasina did great harm to Bangladesh and not to Yunus.
MOHAMMAD IQBAL, Ottawa, Canada
Friday, February 24, 2012 03:55 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Well done Mr. Mahfuz Anam, thank you very much for your courageous and appropriate words for this commentary, these are the feelings of millions of Bengalis living at home and abroad.
Absar
Friday, February 24, 2012 04:21 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
I am sure PM knows historically WB is headed by US and IMF headed by EU. It's just mockery she is making. She realised that earth under her feet is falling apart.
Dr. Golam Sarwar
Friday, February 24, 2012 04:45 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
I do agree with Mr Anam. Superb article.
Dr Islam
Friday, February 24, 2012 04:47 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Thanks Mr Anam for your unusual bravery
Hasan
Friday, February 24, 2012 05:18 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
I have lost my respect for our PM after she ridiculed one of the greatest Bengalees in history. Hasina has done something which will judge her in the future as a jealous person who could not show the basic respect to a person who has earned so much prestige for the nation. Unfortunate reality of our nation.
Kamal Ahmed
Friday, February 24, 2012 05:31 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
It is neither a 'change of heart nor a mockery', it is ignorance combined with poor original instinct. At best a damage control, inspired by elements surrounding her and driving her inevitably to political disaster in the ensuing poll.
Shimul
Friday, February 24, 2012 06:40 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
This is mockery, pure and simple. This is to further dishonor our Dr Yunus and to replace him with Amartya Sen in our country.
A Bangalee
Friday, February 24, 2012 07:36 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
It would surely be very good if it came from her sincere heart. But the history of the relationship between Dr. Yunus and Sheikh Hasina for the last three years showed otherwise. She is very insincere and does not believe what she says.
Anonymous
Friday, February 24, 2012 07:39 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Hasina thinks that the Nobel Peace Prize belonged to her but Dr. Yunus got it. That is the beginning of the trouble.
FIROZ
Friday, February 24, 2012 07:48 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Thank you Mr. Anam for a timely commentary. It is widely believed that our PM's heart is very heavy and full of ridicule, mockery, grudge and unhealthy lyric. She can't come out of her dark heaven as she is destined for a despair and destruction. It is her fate.
Mohammed M. Zaman, Vermont, USA
Friday, February 24, 2012 07:53 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Truth always hurts no matter which side you are looking at it. He did not suck blood of the poor I have seen all my life it is the dishonest so-called politician who does that....People of Bangladesh knows how an honest man has been discredited by our own govt. Mr. Anam thanks for telling the truth.
Mahfuzul H Chowdhuy
Friday, February 24, 2012 07:58 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Excellent! Mr. Anam, excellent piece. Thank you again for picking up the issue. But you and the whole world know what it was and what has it been now.
Mohsin
Friday, February 24, 2012 08:22 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Mr Mahfuz tried to replenish PM's image a little bit. But how many times, you can do that? She is well enough to ground herself.
Himu
Friday, February 24, 2012 08:34 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Or this may be a desperate response to the conspiracy against the Padma Bridge hatched by interested quarters.
DMAI
Friday, February 24, 2012 09:46 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
How true and just commentary. They reflect my own.
NDS
Friday, February 24, 2012 10:07 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
It is not difficult to assume that possibly the honorable PM made the proposal just as a counter poise to EU delegation's query regarding her position on unwarranted removal of Dr.Yunus from Grameen Bank. So it is really difficult to take the proposal as a change of heart on the part of honorable PM. But still we would like to see it not as a mockery but as a sincere gesture of a changing heart.
Reaz Hassan
Friday, February 24, 2012 10:25 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Is it really difficult to understand that this was a satire directed at the patrons of Dr. Yunus? She expects that birds of the same feather should flock together. His ideological philosophy is moored in the West, and indeed he is an icon of that environment. So, why not WB presidency?
M.Shafiqul Alam
Friday, February 24, 2012 10:28 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
We cannot read the PM's mind but what is apparent is that she might be tired of hearing recommendations for reinstatement of Dr. Yunus and had to come with counter recommendations that have been well received by the EU delegates and Dr.Yunus also. Maybe Dr. Yunus's social business will not fit well in the development perspective of world bank but he can at best be a challenging candidate for the coveted job of WB President that has been traditionally dominated by US economists only. I fully appreciate the PM's stance.
Abdul Patwary
Friday, February 24, 2012 10:52 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Mr. Editor is wasting his time. She is only teasing the world. You are right she is mean and vindictive, so do not 'throw pearls....'. If Hasina could return to pure heart we would not have two stock markets during her rule. She has no effort to bring the culprits to the dock. She has agreed to the finance minister's suggestion that the culprits are too powerful. Who is more powerful than Hasina?
Rashed Hossain
Friday, February 24, 2012 11:19 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Lets just come to the main point: The Honorable PM made a fool of herself. There is simply no arguments on that and nothing can change this fact of u-turn (with or without this great piece of writing by Mr. Anam).
Mamun
Friday, February 24, 2012 11:21 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
A great mockery!!! She is expert at mocking.
Alamgir Hossain
Friday, February 24, 2012 10:42 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
I think this Editor has over reacted to the PM's comment. I thought he would hail the PM and support her to get Dr Yunus this position. Instead, Mr Anam has echoed what the opposition leaders are saying. Mr Anam is also factually wrong. WB presidency does not go to USA always. Please look at the history and the recent change in their administration.
M
Friday, February 24, 2012 09:09 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
It is a well known fact that World Bank chief is always a US citizen and the IMF is always headed by an European.
So mockery must have its limits, if coming from a head of government!
M Khan, USA
Friday, February 24, 2012 11:58 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Thank you Mr. Mahfuz Anam for your keen observation and well written commentary. It is regrettable that our head of state are not accountable for their misdeeds. Our honorable Nobel Laureate Prof. Yunus deserves to be respected, regardless of your personal view. Unfortunately, mean spirited and ignorance driven politics and political leaders will dominate our county.
Saif Shahid
Friday, February 24, 2012 12:14 PM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Mr. Rezaul Bari's observations are correct. There is a move now led by China ans some other countries that the leadership of WB is given to a developing country's suitable candidate and Prof Yunus is undoubtedly one of the most suited candidate for the position.
The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty.
US, which was once the major contributor with about 65% of total contributions, has a much reduced amount of contribution, although it is still the major donor compared with others.
In 2010, voting powers at the World Bank were revised to increase the voice of developing countries, notably China. The countries with most voting power are now the United States (15.85%), Japan (6.84%), China (4.42%), Germany (4.00%), the United Kingdom (3.75%), France (3.75%), India (2.91%), Russia (2.77%), Saudi Arabia (2.77%) and Italy (2.64%). So, the possibility of Prof Yunus being voted to the position of President of the WB is not as remote as it could have been earlier.
M.Hossain
Friday, February 24, 2012 11:40 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
Your commentary on PM proposal is so clear to the conscientious people of the World.
You have the courage to speak the truth about the utterances by PM on the celebrated & renowned Economist of the World, Dr. Yunus, who is the pride and honor of Bangladesh.
The poor politicians and some vested so-called journalists found wrong with this great person like Dr. Yunus.
Dr M. Khan, NY, USA
Friday, February 24, 2012 12:53 PM GMT+06:00 (23 hours ago)
Thank you Mr. Anam for your courageous and brilliant commentary, at least someone pointed it out. There is no change of heart, but there is a panic and desperation for the power and money hungry political leader. Millions of Bangladeshis share Mr. Anam's views.
W. Zaman Manik
Friday, February 24, 2012 01:29 PM GMT+06:00 (23 hours ago)
This is a succinct commentary Dr. Yunus is more than qualified to be President of the The World Bank. However, it is my opinion that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has neither admiration nor respect for Dr. Yunus. It is not at all a change of heart. Although Prime Minister's comment is not mockery per se, I am willing to characterize her latest comments on Dr. Yunus as TAUNTING. It was a cheap joke on both the World Bank and Dr. Younus. This is unfortunate. W. Z
Anonymous K
Friday, February 24, 2012 01:06 PM GMT+06:00 (23 hours ago)
Thanks Mr. Anam for writing such a thoughtful and courageous article. When most of our so-called intellectuals and scholars are busy worshiping someone for their own selfish interests,you are an exception. Everybody should be respected for what he or she deserves, not to be idolized. Prof. Yunus is not a perfect man as nobody is, but he is our pride, our recognition and hope for our future. As a Bangladeshi I was ashamed of myself the way this poor professor was castigated and handled by our PM and her cronies. There is no place to hide this shame and self-destruction of our heritage and culture. Before recommending his name for the WB president (which is totally absurd) Sk. Hasina should have been apologised to Dr. Yunus for her misleading information and disgraceful attitude towards him.It is not still too late to apologise and ask her countrymen for their forgiveness.
Faisal Khan
Friday, February 24, 2012 04:18 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
I am amused and honestly startled to read an editorial of this nature by Mahfuz Anam. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken a bold step by openly nominating a Bangladeshi candidate for the World Bank Presidency; instead of appreciating and welcoming this move, the editor seems to be pre-occupied with questions that attack on the personal integrity of a national leader.
Furthermore, the editor is evidently unaware of changes that are currently undergoing in the World Bank. Much of the leadership capacity in the WB is shifting onto developing countries and this will be an increasing trend that we are likely to see in the upcoming years, at least within the next one or two decades. Nominating Dr. Yunus at such a transformational period shows the long-term thinking and effective strategizing of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; by all means, I support her decision and see no reason of questioning her integrity and positive policy-making with regards to Dr. Yunus.
The commentary is evidently biased and skewed towards favoring Dr. Yunus. Much of the microfinance poverty-alleviation story is still empirically non-founded. Although there's continuing research, we do not know, if micro-finance has enabled families to graduate from poverty. It's an effective strategy to maintain living standards, but whether it substantially improves living standards to the point that poor people graduate out of their poverty status remains a crucial question, that neither economists, nor sociologists or welfare researchers have found.
In the future, Mr. Anam would do readers a favor if he can remain more objective in his commentary and (hopefully) a more balanced view.
Faqrul, USA
Friday, February 24, 2012 05:15 AM GMT+06:00 (1 days ago)
I think it is both. The vising delegates and country envoys never miss the opportunity to praise professor Yunus for his outstanding works recognized all over the world..In effect Prof Yunus remains in their visiting agenda for talks in Bangladesh. So far the purpose was to restore his position in Bangladesh as stands outside world
In this present process the prime minister has just put the ball in the court of international well wishers of Professor Yunus, which serve both the purposes as this analysis trying to draw conclusion from the gesture of the prime minister, both carry weight and and rationale to be true.
Anwar Akhtar
Friday, February 24, 2012 01:42 PM GMT+06:00 (22 hours ago)
The PM should be appreciated Even though she may have said with double standards, As said ,she has recommended Dr Yunus and try to get him more honor though she hasn't honoured him nationally, rather humiliated him.
I hope the Govt will realize its mistake. The sychophants in her party have done more harm than good to AL.
Aminul Islam
Friday, February 24, 2012 01:52 PM GMT+06:00 (22 hours ago)
The commentary is the exact summary of what millions of people want to say. Sheikh Hasina needs to be driven by wisdom instead of emotion !
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=223679
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