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He, however, said he did not make up his mind on resigning, as demanded by many quarters after the Bangladesh Bank said more than Tk 36 billion was channelled out of the largest state-run commercial bank under the disguise of loan.
"Many quarters have demanded my resignation. I am watching [the situation]. I haven't taken any decision yet," Muhith said while speaking with reporters at his office over his due Chaina tour.
"Many are trying to flee the country. They'll be sued soon," he said in reply to a reporter's query.
"Enough investigation has been made into the Hallmark affair. Sonali Bank underwent Functional Audit for the first time in Bangladesh. It did a lot of good."
"Filing of a case is very much necessary and taking some quick actions following the filing of the case is necessary," he added.
He also said measures would be taken to recover the money.
The central bank in its review said Hallmark alone withdrew over Tk 2.6 billion from the Sonali Bank.
The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the matter. Top officials of the companies linked with the scam, including the Sonali Bank, have been interrogated. None has been sued, however, so far.
Muhith had said on Sep 4 that given Bangladesh's Tk 400-billion portfolio of commercial bank loans, the Hallmark sum was tiny and that it would in no way affect the entire banking system. He also commented that there was no need for such hullabaloo in the media over the Hallmark scam since Tk 40 billion was not a big deal for the government.
Later, he faced stinging criticism, even from MPs of his own Awami League in Parliament.
MPs Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Tofail Ahmed advised him to speak less.
The Minister had apologised in Parliament on Thursday for his own remarks before retracting them.
'It takes two to make a quarrel'
In reply to a query on the Hallmark scam, he said, "It takes two to make a quarrel. Everybody has some blame to share there. Too much speaking was there, which I also do.
"But we should be aware of one thing, for the sake of the nation—the collapse of the banking sector will be devastating for the country, which has its immediate action abroad," he added.
Muhith said he suspected many had been involved with the Hallmark fraud as it had slipped many eyes and believed it was necessary to try such an incident.
"These things emerge once investigated." He said immediate action was needed in such a situation since no witness, evidence are found later.
"The 1996 stock market case is yet to be settled. I've come to know that no one agrees to testify…the reason is social behaviour—He is known to him…he is a relative …this is only natural."
Muhith takes a dig at Fakhrul
He slammed BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for demanding his resignation, saying his speeches start and end with "this demand".
"He often makes untrue speeches. I don't know him much…But I see this is his style. He is good at taking falsehood before the people," he added.
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