Staff Correspondent

Stressing on required reforms before the next national election, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said they have a very clear agenda and want to make sure that the economy, overall system and institutions function properly.

“Our job is to do it as quickly as possible because we are not here to stay long. Our task is to reform and hold the election. As soon as we are ready for that we will hold the election. This government has to succeed,” he told NHK in an exclusive interview released on Monday in multiple languages.

The chief adviser said he is a free person and all of them (advisers) are free persons and they can do what they feel is right.

He said reforms are the top most priority of the government as Bangladesh is in the deep ocean of corruption.

Paying tribute to students who sacrificed their lives, Prof Yunus said when they formed the government they thought there should not be any delinking between the government and the spirit of the young people.

The head of the interim government in Bangladesh has expressed his determination to quickly advance reform and hold an election.

The interview with NHK was done in New York, where he went to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

He became chief advisor of the interim government after the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina collapsed on August 5 after 15 years in power, following student protests.

Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 and is the founder of Grameen Bank, which extends small unsecured loans to underprivileged people.

In the interview, Yunus said the interim government's job is to carry out reform as quickly as possible, and that the government will hold an election as soon as it is ready. He said, "Failure is not something that we can accept."

Referring to students who played a major role in the overthrow of the Hasina government, Yunus said young people gave their lives during what he called the "revolution." He indicated his stance of including the young generation in policy making.

Yunus said Bangladesh looks forward to support from its biggest donor Japan "during this very critical period."

He emphasised that Japan's cooperation is essential in rebuilding his country's economy and helping democracy take root there.

Chief Adviser's press wing shared the link of the interview with the media.

The government has described Chief Adviser Prof Yunus' participation at the 79th United Nations General Assembly as "very successful, historic and a very positive milestone."

"It is a very successful and historic visit. I would say it was a very positive milestone for Bangladesh," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy on Monday.

In his brief four-day stay in New York, Alam said, the chief adviser attended around 50 events including meetings with top global leaders like US President Joe Biden.