Economy
Resort, park and duplexes: Matiur’s empire of assets
From his birthplace in Barishal to Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, and Feni, extensive properties have been found linked to former NBR official Matiur Rahman, who came to the limelight after his son attempted to purchase a sacrificial goat for Tk15 lakh.
The properties include land, apartments, factories, luxurious houses, and resorts. While some are registered under Matiur Rahman’s name, a significant portion is held in the names of his first wife Laila Kanis Lucky, his son, daughter, and various relatives.
The highlight of Matiur’s reported assets appears to be Wonder Park, an amusement park in Narsingdi’s Raipur upazila linked to his first wife. The park occupies around 15 bighas of land.
Additionally, Apon Bhuban Picnic and Shooting Spot, a sprawling 60-bigha resort reportedly co-owned by Matiur and his wife, boasts various amenities and has been used for filming locations.
Matiur is now attached to the Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the finance ministry after being removed as the president of NBR Customs, Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal.
Currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for allegedly possessing undisclosed assets, he had constructed two luxurious duplex houses—one for his first wife and another for his second wife’s mother.
Additionally, he also has investments in the capital market, which served as a significant source of his wealth accumulation.
Matiur is currently not available for comment and his whereabouts is also unknown.
Assets and influence in his own village
In Bahadurpur village of Barishal’s Muladi upazila, a gate with a minaret marks the Howlader House. Nestled between a three-storey madrassa and a two-storey mosque, it’s the childhood home of Matiur Rahman, a schoolteacher’s son better known locally as Pintu.
According to locals, Matiur’s village property spans a sizable 1.45 acres, with additional agricultural land estimated between 20 and 50 acres. While the ownership of the agricultural land remains unclear, locals claim his family has accumulated significant holdings in recent years.
They point to Matiur’s younger brother, Qaiyum Howlader, who they believe possesses even greater wealth in the area.
Qaiyum also was not available for comment.
Villagers say Qaiyum, a former leader in local BNP, saw his fortunes rise with Matiur’s ascension to the NBR.
Qaiyum eventually established a travel bag manufacturing factory in Tongi and expanded into other local businesses. Two years ago, he purchased a house worth Tk10 crore in Muladipur.
Contacted, Matiur’s cousins, currently living in Bahadurpur, vehemently deny the allegations against the family.
“These claims are a conspiracy against Boro Mia [Matiur],” said Mahamudunnabi, his cousin.
“He [ Matiur] has built his wealth through hard work and responsible living. Even during his school days, he was known for his frugality, saving every penny.”
Another cousin, Fakhruddin Hawlader, said that both he and Mahmudunnabi look after the mosque and madrasa established by Matiur under the Howlader Foundation, which he claims is funded by donations from locals.
Fakhruddin further said Matiur has established the Rahmania Technical School & BM College, a cyclone shelter, mosque, madrasa, and health centre near his residence. All the establishments are overseen by the Howlader Foundation.
He said Matiur facilitated the construction of a cement-block embankment along the Koyla Canal in Bahadurpur village by the Water Development Board.
However, Kazirchar Union Chairman Montu Biswas alleged that Matiur established the technical school and college by occupying land in the Koyla Canal. “The closure of the canal is causing problems in agriculture,” he said.
According to locals, Matiur’s father, Abdul Hakim, was a school teacher and the union BNP vice-president. Following his retirement in 2003, he was also elected as the chairman of the local union parishad.
There are allegations that Matiur used his money and influence to help his father get elected.
Locals ‘forced’ to sell land for Wonder Park in Narsingdi
The Wonder Park in Narsingdi’s Raipura upazila, linked to his first wife Laila Kanis Lucky, seems more like a forgotten dream than a thriving amusement centre.
A news reporter visit reveals a desolate scene – a Tk 200 entry fee followed by additional charges for rides that are malfunctioning and shrouded in dust. No staff are present to operate them.
Couples occasionally enter, but the silence and deserted atmosphere are unsettling.
Locals recall a more vibrant past. Young men reminisced about playing in a field that’s now vanished. There’s also a 2-3 bigha lake beside the park, with white ducks enjoying its waters.
No one felt comfortable talking about Laila Kanis.
A resident, speaking anonymously, described her land acquisition tactics. “Kanis simply informed landowners she needed the property. Negotiation wasn’t an option, and given their powerful position, refusal wasn’t either.”
A local woman recounted a similar story. “They took our land, which was worth Tk60,000 per decimal at the time, and offered a paltry Tk1 lakh in return.”
Others shared experiences of receiving land payments in installments or at unfair rates.
Locals recall that Kanis’s father Kafil Master lived modestly in a mud house.
Now, she has a luxurious white duplex in Morjal village that stands out with its modern architectural style. It is surrounded by rows of domestic and foreign trees, a lush green yard, staff accommodations, and an aesthetically pleasing establishment nearby.
However, no one was found inside the large gate of the house.
Kanis also has a road named after herself near the Morjal High School in Raipura.
She is reportedly involved with the local Awami League as the district relief and disaster affairs secretary.
Asked about this, Narsingdi-5 lawmaker Rajiuddin Ahmed said, “I don’t know anything about Laila Kanis’s position in the party. The District Awami League can explain why they gave her the post. At that time, I was not closely connected with the District Awami League.”
There are also allegations that she was made upazila chairman without a vote, with the MP’s help, by forcibly removing other competitors from the candidacy.
On this allegation, Rajiuddin Ahmed said, “I did not make her the chairman; the one whom the people wanted became the chairman.”
Property disclosed in affidavit of Kanis
According to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission during Laila Kanis’s chairman candidacy, her annual income from the agricultural sector is Tk18 lakh.
Additionally, she earns Tk9.90 lakh from house and shop rents, about Tk3.82 lakh from dividends on shares, savings, and bank deposits, Tk1.63 lakh from the upazila chairman’s honorarium, and about Tk1.19 lakh from bank interest. She has deposits totaling Tk3.55 crore in various banks and financial institutions.
Laila Kanis’s immovable properties include a total of 18.5 katha of land in various places, including Dhaka and Savar. She also has 99.65 decimals of land in different areas of Gazipur and 364.93 decimals in her district, Narsingdi.
Additionally, she has land in Jashore and Natore, and 154 decimals of agricultural land in her name. According to her tax files, she also owns multiple flats in the Bashundhara residential area in Dhaka.
60-bigha resort and more land in Gazipur
Adding to the questions surrounding Matiur Rahman’s wealth is the Apon Bhuban Picnic and Shooting Spot in Gazipur. This sprawling 60-bigha resort in Pubail’s Khilgaon area boasts a variety of amenities, all under Matiur and his wife’s name.
The picturesque property features charming bamboo and cane houses, a modern conference hall, a delightful mango orchard, and a lake adorned with bridges.
Guests can unwind at the restaurant, playgrounds, extensive north-facing garden, or the unique glass terrace. Additional features include a greenhouse, a bungalow house, and a fishing pond.
Previously used for film and drama shoots, Apon Bhuban has opened its doors to the public for an entry fee of Tk100.
According to park officials, employees, and locals, Matiur Rahman and his wife, Laila Kanis Lucky, acquired the land for Apon Bhuban with the assistance of a local influential figure, Aminul Islam.
Initial purchases totaled 35 bighas, with additional land either rented or acquired later to bring the total area to 60 bighas.
The resort boasts 18 cottages, each with a nightly rate of Tk7,000.
Locals seem familiar with the ownership structure. “Everyone knows Apan Bhuban belongs to Kanis madam,” remarked Sharif Hossain, a local shopkeeper, “and now we know she’s Matiur Rahman’s wife.”
Efforts to reach Rajib Mia, the supervisor of Apon Bhuban, were unsuccessful at the resort. However, he later confirmed via phone that the resort occupies roughly 60 bighas, with 35 bighas owned by the Matiur family and the remainder leased from local residents.
However, according to Gazipur district administration sources, there are 5 acres and 777 decimals of land registered under the name of Apan Bhuban Resort and Picnic Spot.
In addition to this resort, more land has been found registered under the names of Matiur, his wife, and children in various locations in Gazipur.
Duplex building for mother-in-law
In the Sonapur area of Sonagazi, Feni, Matiur Rahman built a luxurious house for his father-in-law. Locals say that upon the request of his second wife, Shammi Akhtar Shibu, Matiur Rahman gifted this duplex house to her mother-in-law ten years ago.
The management of this luxury house is overseen by a local man named Jasim Uddin. He mentioned that Matiur Rahman’s mother-in-law currently resides in her daughter’s house in Dhaka and occasionally visits the Sonagazi property.
“Two months ago, Matiur Rahman, along with his wife Shammi Akhtar Shibu, son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat, and mother-in-law, visited the house and returned to Dhaka after a two-day stay,” Jasim Uddin added.
Locals also mentioned that Matiur Rahman holds some land in Feni and Sonagazi under the names of relatives, with his wife’s cousin Arifur Rahman overseeing these properties.
On Sunday, June 30, the parliament approved the Tk 797,000 crore national budget for FY 2024-25, aiming for a 6.75 percent economic growth and keeping annual inflation around 6 percent.
Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali introduced the Appropriations Bill 2024, requesting a budget allocation of Tk 12,41,752 crore, which passed by voice vote.
Earlier, on Saturday, the parliament passed the Finance Bill 2024 with minor amendments.
The Finance Ministry proposed parliamentary approval for the appropriation of funds for necessary development and non-development expenditures. The concerned ministers justified their ministry’s expenses through 59 grant demands.
Parliament rejected 251 cut-motions from opposition members on these grant demands via voice votes. Seven MPs, including Jatiya Party’s Mujibul Huq and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, and Independent MP Pankaj Nath, were allowed to discuss the Law Ministry, Secondary and Higher Studies Division, and Social Welfare Ministry.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury expedited the passing of grant demands for different ministries without a lunch break. Opposition and independent MPs present in the House did not object to the Appropriation Bill’s passage.
Vietnam’s economy grew by more than six percent in the first half of 2024, government figures showed Saturday, as analysts said more reforms are needed to further boost the economy.
The global manufacturing hub saw an expansion of 6.4 percent in January-June, compared to 3.7 percent over the same period of 2023, the General Statistics Office (GSO) said in a statement.
The upswing was the result of “several measures” taken to improve supply chains, the foreign exchange market and public investment, the GSO said.
Industrial production was up 7.5 percent, while foreign investment increased by 8.2 percent compared to the same period last year, the new figures showed.
To maintain and promote growth, the government needs to focus on the key sectors of manufacturing and processing, logistics and hospitality, VPBank Securities analyst Duong Thien Chi said.
Policymakers should also take into account “unmeasurable variables” such as the US Federal Reserve’s moves on interest rate reduction, Duong told AFP.
The United States was Vietnam’s largest export market in the first six months of 2024.
The Southeast Asian nation earned $190 billion from exports over that period, up by 14.5 percent year on year.
Despite such improvement, an International Monetary Fund analyst said Vietnam “needs a new wave of reforms” following a visit to the country late June.
“Increasing productivity, further investing in human and physical capital, and incentivising private investment in renewable energy is key,” said the IMF’s Paulo Medas.
Vietnam is targeting growth of between six and 6.5 percent this year, up on the 5.05 percent seen in 2023.
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka’s annual inflation almost doubled to 1.7 percent in June, up from 0.9 percent the previous month, as food prices began rising again, official data showed Saturday.
The Census and Statistics department data came days after Sri Lanka secured a deal with its bilateral creditors to restructure $10 billion in debt, a key condition to maintain an IMF bailout programme.
Food inflation returned, with prices rising 1.04 percent in the year to June, having been flat a month earlier, the department said.
At the height of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis when it defaulted on its foreign debt in 2022, inflation had risen to nearly 70 percent.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka expressed hope on Saturday that it would be able to maintain overall inflation below 5.0 percent for 2024.
The country is due to hold a presidential election this year, and opposition parties have vowed to renegotiate the terms of the IMF bailout, which has led to painful austerity measures.
The IMF has said it is willing to listen to alternative proposals from rival political parties, but stressed that the benchmarks set in the bailout had to be adhered to.
