Former Health Minister Zahid Malek and his family's bank accounts were ordered to be seized

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit-BFIU has directed to freeze the bank accounts of former health minister Zahid Malek and his family for the next 30 days.

The agency issued this order in a letter to commercial banks on Monday.

Apart from Zahid Malek, his son Rahat Malek and daughter Cynthia Malek also cannot be bankrolled.

If their sons and daughters have any account managed in the name of their privately owned company, they are requested to send all the information of those accounts within the next five working days.

After the downfall of the Awami League government on August 5, the bank accounts of several ministers and members of parliament were similarly seized.

Zahid Malek was elected from Manikganj Sadar seat for the first time in 2001 and was defeated. On December 29, 2008, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the first time by receiving the boat symbol of Awami League.

He became the Minister of State for Health in 2014 after winning the election amid boycott of the BNP-Jamaat alliance. After winning the next election, he became the Health Minister. It was during his tenure that the coronavirus pandemic broke out. At that time there were allegations of irregularities in the purchase of protective equipment.

Zahid Malek did not have a place in the Awami League cabinet after getting the fourth consecutive victory in the January 7 election in the face of the exclusion of BNP and like-minded people.

Zahid Malek also did business before coming into politics. In addition to Bangladesh Thai Aluminum Limited, Sunlife Insurance Company Limited, BD Thai Food and Beverage Limited listed in the capital market, Rahat was the chairman of Real Estate and Construction Limited and BD Sunlife Brokerage House Limited.

However, the family has sold all the shares of Sunlife Insurance Company.

Bangladesh /SBT