I've been advised to talk less: Muhith

Star Online Report

Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Thursday that he has been advised to refrain from making any long speech and comments that might 'embarrass' the government.
"I have been advised to talk less. So, I will finish the speech quickly," he said during his seven-minute speech at the launching of BD Venture Ltd at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the capital.
He did not even talk to reporters, who were waiting outside the venue, after the event.
Muhith's comments came a day after two senior lawmakers from his ruling Awami League severely blasted him for his remarks that the Tk 3,800 crore swindled by Hall-Mark and five other companies is a petty amount.
The lawmakers also requested him to refrain from making such comments.
“How could he say that there was nothing to make hue and cry centering swindling of Tk 3,800 crore?" asked AL MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim at the parliament on Wednesday.
"This amount might not be considered huge to him, but it is a huge amount of money to people and they got hurt by his remark. The government is also being embarrassed by such remarks,” he said.
He said the government must take action even if a single taka is embezzled.
AL MP Tofail Ahmed echoed. He also criticised the minister for blasting media for their extensive reports on the scam.
Many ruling alliance MPs were seen supporting Tofail and Selim by thumping desks. The finance minister however was not present in the House during the discussion.
On Tuesday, critising the media coverage of the Tk 3,800 crore Sonali Bank scam, Muhith said the imprudent publicity has raised questions whether the banking sector is at stake.