"It's not a point catching these people… we need to show the results," he said while speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of an 'Investigative journalism course on governance and anti-corruption' at the National Institute of Mass Communication at Mirpur in the city.

Citing an example on how the trial is being delayed, Mashhud said, "It is not possible to hold the hearing of 100 people on a single day, I cannot lean on judges to resolve the cases as soon as possible, but there should be some senses of urgency."

Stressing the importance of investigative journalism, Mashhud said investigative journalism and the fight against corruption is mutually inclusive.

"This is not either me or you, but you and me," he remarked on the inseparable relation between the works of investigative journalism and the drive against anti-corruption.

About the Official Secrets Act, he said, "It is some sorts of irritant, but there is way out. It is a hindrance, but not paralysing. The act was made to fight the enemies not the people of the country."

Apart from the current status and activities of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Mashhud spoke about the evolution of the body, which, according to him was not 'pleasant' and 'smooth'.

He also unfolded his visions regarding the anti-corruption drive.

"My idealistic vision is a corruption-free Bangladesh…which is possible but not probable, and the realistic vision is to minimise the corruption staying away from the interference of all including the political parties and foreign agencies," he added.

Mashhud said to bring coordination and speed in the activities of ACC, he has already informed the government about employing 1281 people and reducing the branches from 55 to 22.

He said if a modern communication system can be introduced there is no need to run so many branches.

The 22 branches will co-ordinate works through big database with NBR, Bangladesh Bank and other institutions without running from office to office, he added.

"The anti-corruption commission will be function-based, not area-based. We want to establish individual branch including financial crime, money laundering, crime in business deal and so on," he added.

On ACC's end state, Mashhud said his mission is to continue on deeds not on words.

The ACC chief said he dreams of a day when he would take all the journalists to show a good modern looking office, a user-friendly association and "an independent, credible, well resourced greater outreach to fight corruption."

UN Resident Coordinator Renata Lok Dessalin termed 2007 a "historic year" for the drive against corruption.

She said the role of journalists was always there to curb corruption, but now the role is even more important.

Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Einar H Jensen said the country has been given a clear signal that the interim government has a will to fight corruption.

Lauding the drive against corruption, he said the initiative shown this time was never seen before.

He also stressed the need for reforms of public service.

Since the public service holders are very much ill paid there should be some provisions for incentive to encourage them fighting corruption, he added.

The envoy also laid emphasis on due process and full respect for human rights in the fight against corruption.

Director General of the National Institute of Mass Communication Syed Mahbubur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

The month-long investigative journalism training on governance and anti-corruption for print and electronic media has been organised by UNDP Anti-Corruption Advocacy Campaign (ACAC).

The training, facilitated by BBC trainer Stephen Hall, will train about 120 journalists from 43 media houses at eight different venues that include in-house training both for print and electronic media.