The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into a syndicate led by four former Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Awami League government, including ex-finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, accused of embezzling Tk24,000 crore under the guise of sending workers to Malaysia.

The alleged syndicate, which also includes former MP Nizam Uddin Hazari, Lt Gen (Retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury, and former Dhaka-20 MP Benazir Ahmed, reportedly sent around 450,000 workers abroad within just one and a half years.

Many were unable to find work and returned home empty-handed.

The commission has formed a three-member investigation team, led by Deputy Director Nurul Huda, to scrutinize the illegal assets and operations of these individuals.

Ministry’s alleged collusion
According to sources, the syndicate operated with the support of senior officials from both the Bangladeshi and Malaysian governments.

Workers were charged far above the government-set cost of Tk 79,000, with the average worker paying Tk5,44,000 to secure a job in Malaysia. The syndicate allegedly amassed Tk24,000 crore by overcharging workers, while the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment took no action, instead facilitating the syndicate’s activities.

Recruitment agencies linked to AL supporters
When the Malaysian labour market reopened in July 2022, the selection of recruiting agencies was left to Malaysia, with only 25 out of 1,520 Bangladeshi agencies being chosen, allegedly with no clear policy.

The selected agencies were reportedly linked to former Finance Minister Kamal, his family, other former MPs, and Awami League leaders. Workers faced significant hardships in Malaysia, with many unable to secure employment and returning home in debt.

Former Feni MP Nizam Uddin Hazari’s company, Snigdha Overseas Limited, reportedly sent only 100 workers abroad in the first three and a half years after obtaining its licence. However, the company sent approximately 8,000 workers to Malaysia in just one and a half years after markets reopened.

Similar surges were noted in agencies linked to other former MPs and Kamal’s family, with massive profits being made by overcharging workers.

The top agency sending workers to Malaysia, Five M International, managed by former Feni-3 MP Lt Gen (Retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury, allegedly sent 8,592 workers after markets reopened, a significant increase from the 2,500 workers it sent to the Middle East before.

Ahmed International, owned by former Dhaka-20 MP Benzir Ahmed, was ranked fifth in sending workers to Malaysia. The agency’s activities surged after allegedly joining the syndicate, with 7,849 workers sent to Malaysia, up from just 238 workers before the market reopened.

Former Baira General Secretary Ruhul Amin Swapan played a key role in the syndicate, reportedly selecting 69 of the 100 agencies involved. His agency, Catharsis International, sent 7,102 workers to Malaysia. Other notable agencies include BM Travels Limited and Anannya Apurba, both linked to pro-Awami League figures.