An audio recording has surfaced implicating the press secretary of Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a member of the Bangldesh interim government, in alleged tender manipulation.
Journalist Jawad Nirjhor released the leaked audio, in which the press secretary can be heard discussing commission percentages related to a tender with another individual.
According to Nirjhor, the conversation is between Mahfuz Alam, press secretary to Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, the advisor for local government in the interim administration.
On Wednesday night (20 August), Nirjhor posted the audio on his Facebook page, and it quickly spread across social media.
In his post, Nirjhor wrote, “I was working on the CDR (call detail record) of Mahfuz Alam (press secretary to Asif Mahmud). He makes calls to real estate and investment companies in Dubai. Other recordings of his shady dealings have surfaced before as well.” Nirjhor has called for an investigation into Mahfuz Alam and the leaked audio.
In the recording, Mahfuz Alam can be heard discussing tender-related matters with another person. At one point, the other party offers a 3% commission.
Mahfuz responds, “If the work is confirmed, then 3%—that’s fine. But there are some projects currently underway where I’ve done it at 6%. You can check. One percent is for the middleman and five percent for the ministry. These are fixed.”
Regarding the procedure, he is heard saying, “What I’m doing is: the advisor sir will sign, 50% will be paid; after CCGP approval, the remaining 50% will be paid.”
He adds, “Tell them everything is happening in this format now.”
Mahfuz also issues a warning about delaying files if the terms are not honored. He says, “I’ll hold the file now. If the commitment isn’t clear—well, you’ll see what happens. When things are said in two ways, that creates problems, understand?… I’ll process the e-GP (e-Government Procurement) today, but I’ll keep the NOA (Notice of Award) on hold. You give the confirmation first, then the NOA. And no two projects at 1.5 or two at 1 percent—that won’t happen. 1.5 means 1.5, that’s it.”
The leaked audio is stirring significant discussion on social media. Many are demanding a neutral investigation. Some say that, if true, this incident poses a serious challenge to administrative transparency and accountability.
One commenter in Facebook wrote, “If this is true, then it’s not just about Mahfuz as an individual—it reflects the corruption embedded in the entire administrative system.”
