Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Mohklesur Rahman, has called for greater transparency and practical approaches in governance. During a meeting with journalists at the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday, Rahman discussed several issues, including allegations of corruption and reforms in workplace titles.

When addressing corruption, Rahman made a striking statement, suggesting that individuals who encounter demands for bribes should deal with such situations discreetly. “If someone asks for a bribe, close the door and handle it,” he said, adding that he preferred not to elaborate further on such matters in a public forum. His remarks sparked mixed reactions, highlighting the ongoing challenges of tackling corruption within administrative structures.

Rahman also urged his colleagues in government positions to adopt a positive and open attitude toward public interest. He emphasized the importance of sharing information wherever possible to benefit citizens, stating, “Through you, I want to request all secretaries to consider why we should withhold information that can be shared in the public interest. Let us all remain positive in this regard.”

Touching on workplace reforms, Rahman announced changes to the official protocol regarding how male and female officers are addressed. He explained that the previous practice of addressing all officers, regardless of gender, as “Sir” had been discontinued. As of August 5, male officers are now addressed as “Mister” and female officers as “Miss.” He clarified that this change was implemented at a national level and aimed to ensure gender-specific forms of address.

Rahman also noted the ministry’s commitment to making recommendations focused on public welfare. However, he acknowledged that the final decision on implementing these recommendations lies with the government. “We will provide suggestions aimed at benefiting the public,” he said, “but how much of that is adopted is entirely the government’s decision.”

The secretary’s remarks reflected both the complexities of addressing corruption and the efforts to foster transparency and inclusivity within the public administration system.