Minister’s Letter Sparks Uproar at Biman
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
A recommendation to appoint a former pilot, who was previously dismissed over allegations of corruption, disciplinary violations, and professional misconduct, as Director (Planning) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines has triggered intense controversy. Questions over transparency and accountability in the recruitment process emerged after a letter from Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam became public on her social media account.
In a letter dated April 28, the minister recommended former pilot Rezaur Rahman to the Ministry of Public Administration for contractual appointment as Director (Planning) of Biman. The letter stated that Biman required skilled and experienced personnel to make its operations more dynamic and effective, and that Rezaur Rahman had been recommended on that basis. The same letter also requested the cancellation of the appointment notification of Md. Habib Ullah Monjur, who had previously been appointed to the post on a contractual basis.
The publication of the letter drew widespread reactions both within the aviation sector and on social media. Many described the move as contrary to merit and discipline. A review of Biman’s official records shows that allegations of disciplinary breaches and professional misconduct against Captain Rezaur Rahman date back many years.
On April 17, 2005, former Biman pilot Captain Mohammad Yunus submitted a written complaint to the airline’s then managing director. In the complaint, he alleged that Captain Rezaur Rahman had threatened to kill him and physically assaulted him at the office of the Bangladesh Airline Pilots’ Association (BAPA) the previous day. Yunus alleged that Rezaur punched him in the left shoulder.
The complaint also alleged that Rezaur Rahman was involved in the assault and mistreatment of Biman’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kayes Kamal in October 2004, misconduct toward ground engineers that led to a work stoppage, and the harassment of a passenger at Bangkok Airport in 2002. It also mentioned allegations that he threatened to have a BAPA official named Jalil removed from his job and displayed aggressive behavior in 2004 at a BATC classroom in the presence of Captains Abdullah Faruk, Enam, and Irfan. Media outlets reported on those incidents at the time.
Later, in 2007, authorities withdrew him from flight duties and training following a letter from then Chief of Training Captain Abu Sayeed Munir regarding multiple disciplinary violations. Authorities cited as a reason his participation in a meeting of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh on July 2, 2007, as a representative of private competitor GMG Airlines while he was still employed as a Biman pilot. They considered the matter a conflict of interest.
Subsequently, he resigned on October 18 of that year. Because he failed to provide notice within the required period, authorities later deducted notice pay equivalent to two months’ salary. After leaving Biman, he worked for several private airlines.
Earlier, on November 19, 2015, he applied for reinstatement at Biman. However, authorities rejected the application. In a letter signed on January 3, 2016, by then General Manager (Administration) Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury, Biman formally turned down the request after considering his past record.
Against this backdrop, stakeholders have questioned the recommendation to appoint a person with a record of mistreating colleagues and passengers, professional misconduct, and disciplinary action to the post of Director (Planning) at a key state-owned institution such as Biman.
A senior official of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “This is a policy-level recommendation. All aspects will be reviewed before the appointment is finalized.”
A spokesperson for Biman Bangladesh Airlines said, “We are aware of the matter. It is currently under process at the relevant ministry. Further steps will be taken in accordance with the rules.”
An aviation expert said, “When appointing individuals to important positions in a state-owned airline, discipline and professional records are just as important as experience. Attempting to place someone with a controversial past in such a position could pose a risk to the institution’s image.”
Neither the ministry concerned nor Biman has yet provided any detailed official explanation regarding the matter. As a result, uncertainty continues to surround the entire issue.
