Sheikh Rabiul Alam, the newly appointed Minister for Road Transport, Railways, and Shipping, has brazenly dismissed widespread extortion in the transport sector as mere “consensual contributions.”
This BNP leader, whose own hands are stained with allegations of murder, fraud, and syndicate-driven thuggery from his real estate days, argued that fees collected by owners’ and workers’ associations aren’t extortion because they’re supposedly based on “mutual agreement” rather than force.
His comments, made during his first press conference since assuming office in the new government, expose not just his detachment from reality but also his intent to protect the very criminal networks he has long been entangled with.
Responding to questions about rampant extortion in the transport industry, Rabiul Alam smugly declared: “I don’t see the so-called ‘extortion’ in road transport the way it’s described. There are owners’ associations and workers’ associations; they spend this money on their welfare. It’s like an unwritten rule. Extortion, to me, is something no one wants to give or is forced to pay. The owners’ association collects a fixed amount to use for the owners’ benefit. There might be debates on how much is actually used, but they do this based on consensus.”
He further doubled down, noting: “There are many organisations like the Workers’ Welfare Federation. They collect this through mutual understanding. Dominance goes to those with influenceโowners or parties in power. The ruling party’s workers’ organisation holds sway. But we don’t see this as extortion because it’s done consensually.” While he vaguely conceded that the government might check if these “contributions” are excessive, his tone reeked of indifference, essentially greenlighting the status quo that drains billions from drivers and operators annually.
Trump pushes for controversial defense deals in letter to Tarique Rahman
Asif Nazrul laundered Tk14,000 crore, wife Sheila handled the cash
Purbachal Plot Verdict: Procedural flaws, bias against Sheikh Hasina exposed
The press conference, held on Thursday afternoon at his office, marked Rabiul Alam’s first formal media interaction after taking charge. State Ministers Habib ur Rashid and Rajib Ahsan from the three ministries were present, but the event quickly turned into a showcase of the minister’s hubris.
Storm Of Condemnation
Rabiul Alam’s remarks ignited a firestorm of criticism in political circles and on social media, where users lambasted him for normalising extortion that could now flourish unchecked under his watch. This comes as no surprise, given BNP’s own tainted history: from August 2024 onward, the party faced massive allegations of extortion, leading to the expulsion of thousands of leaders and workers.
Yet, in a hypocritical U-turn before the elections, many were reinstated with promises that corruption and extortion would not be toleratedโpromises now ringing hollow with Rabiul Alam at the helm.
Prominent figures decried his statement as “the thief’s mother shouting the loudest” and a blatant declaration to perpetuate anarchy in the transport sector. Analysts pointed out the irony: “When a real estate businessman and murder accused sits in a policymaking chair, crime becomes the ‘norm’,” one said, highlighting how Rabiul Alam’s appointment itself institutionalises thuggery.
A leader from the Passenger Rights Protection Council unleashed a scathing critique: “No bus or truck driver pays willingly on the roads. Money is extorted through threats of violence. Today, the minister granted indemnity to these goon squads. His own past history explains why he’s siding with muscle power.”
Tariqueโs Inaugural Address: Empty rhetoric amid unaddressed atrocities
Mobocracy: Why Home Minister Salahuddinโs hollow promises are pathetic
Khalilur Rahmanโs inclusion dubbed a US ploy to control Tarique Rahman
Indeed, Rabiul Alam’s defense smacks of personal interest, given his notorious involvement in land grabs, extortion rackets, and violent syndicates during his housing business career.
Social media erupted with thousands of mocking comments under related news posts, underscoring public outrage and ridicule:
– “I have a plan: The updated version of extortion.”
– “Give him the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering peace between extortionists and drivers.”
– “Hope no one spreads rumours about extortion. Thanks ๐๐๐. With this new definition, Bangladesh is extortion-free overnight. Say, Alhamdulillah. Salute.”
– “Extortion money has more juice, more honey! We have to eat it! Change the name if needed, but eat it!!”
– “Good. The one accused of extortion gets the roads ministry.”
– “Hmm, I get itโhe doesn’t eat interest, but he eats profit.”
– “Finally, we have a definition for extortion.”
– “You’re providing good entertainment. You pass.”
– “If given willingly, it’s called a gift.”
– “Learned today that 150 is another name for one hundred fifty.”
– “Guru, the game has just begun!”
– “Looks like extortion will become halal now.”
– “One announcement creates 10 million jobs.”
These reactions capture the public’s disgust at Rabiul Alam’s shameless semantics, which conveniently redefine crime to suit his agenda.
A Minister With Blood On His Hands
Rabiul Alam’s arrogance is amplified by his unresolved criminal past, most notably his accusation in the murder of Tanjil (referred to in some reports as Tamim), a broadcast officer at Deepto Television. Despite BNP suspending his party position after the charges, the party shamelessly reinstated him, granting him nomination for the Dhaka-10 seat and now elevating him to minister.
Chaos, Capitulation, Corruption: Yunusโ 559-day jihadist nightmare
Press Freedom Under Attack: BNP mob removes BSS chief editor Mahbub Morshed
The incident occurred on October 10, 2024โshortly after the July uprisingโin Dhaka’s Rampura, at the eighth-floor corridor of an under-construction building in the Mahanagar Project. A brawl erupted over building construction and flat distribution among landowners, the housing firm, and other owners. Tanjil, the landowner’s son, was severely injured in the assault and later died in the hospital.
Tanjil’s family filed a case against 16 individuals, with Rabiul Alam listed as accused number three. Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Tejgaon Division Deputy Commissioner, Md. Ruhul Kabir Khan confirmed at the time: “Initial involvement of BNP leader Sheikh Rabiul Alam Rabi has been found in this incident.” Police even launched raids to arrest him.
Beyond murder, Rabiul Alam faces a dozen cases for embezzling customers’ money, selling the same flat to multiple buyers, and political violence in New Market. Public fury boils over: How does someone facing trials for grave crimes like murder and fraud land oversight of three critical ministries (roads, railways, and shipping)? And how dare he publicly whitewash extortion?
Institutionalising Thuggery
Sources in the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry reveal that since taking charge, Rabiul Alam has reactivated his old “syndicate” in contracting and regulatory controls. His real estate era was marked by forcible occupations and muscle power tactics, now hinted at infiltrating the transport sector through his today’s statements.
A former Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) trustee, speaking anonymously, told the media: “Someone whose hands are bloodied and accused of looting ordinary people’s assets has no right to speak of public welfare. By labeling extortion as organisational expenses, he’s essentially opening doors for his followers to fatten their pockets.”
Ordinary transport owners and workers are terrified, fearing Rabiul Alam’s “green signal” will embolden extortionists on roads and highways, with passengers ultimately footing the bill through higher fares and risks.
Hollow Promises On Other Fronts
Amid the controversy, Rabiul Alam paid lip service to government priorities, claiming the new administration aims for people-friendly, transparent, and accountable governance. He outlined a 180-day action plan for rail expansion, road discipline, canal re-excavation, and integrated transport management.
On Dhaka’s unchecked battery-powered auto-rickshaws causing traffic chaos, he vaguely promised coordination with city corporations, traffic departments, and the home ministry to either ban or regulate them gradually. He criticised the Yunus era’s QR-coded licensing and safe rickshaw initiatives as favouring one company, though those aimed to reduce accidents and restore order in areas like Paltan, Dhanmondi, and Uttara.
In railways, he highlighted delays due to mismatched engines and coaches, pledging local manufacturing reviews and tender coordination under the prime minister’s emphasis. He mentioned reducing Chittagong-Dhaka travel time, improving first- and second-class services, and Eid ticket discipline.
On India-Bangladesh rail links, he said a decision could come in 15 days based on national interests. Road discipline priorities include curbing highway markets, uncontrolled parking, and on-street leasing in the capital, with potential cancellations.
Dismissing Padma Bridge toll irregularities, he claimed regular collections and no dues. For the upcoming Eid, he promised to follow past successful models with added steps decided in 3-4 days, including considering early garment factory holidays while weighing economic impacts.
On the airport-to-Gazipur BRT project, he arrogantly deemed it “not people-friendly” despite experts noting it would slash traffic jamsโattributing holdups to alleged secret US deals derailing China-Russia projects.
In a hypocritical nod to corruption, he claimed public interest trumps party interests, vowing no dominance for groups and ensuring transparencyโwords that ring empty from a man mired in murder and extortion scandals.
Rabiul Alam’s tenure begins under a cloud of shame, arrogance, and criminality, raising alarms about the transport sector’s future under a minister who seems more a protector of syndicates than a public servant.
English 
Bengali