‘One Percent Middleman, Five Percent Ministry’: Audio Leak of Adviser Asif’s Press Secretary

A tender-related controversy has emerged involving the press secretary of an adviser to the interim government. Investigative journalist Jawad Nirjhar has released an audio recording in which the press secretary is allegedly discussing tender commissions with another individual.

According to Nirjhar, the conversation involves Mahfuz Alam, who serves as the press secretary to Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiya, the interim government’s local government adviser.

The audio was published on Jawad Nirjhar’s Facebook account on Wednesday night (20 August) and quickly spread across social media platforms.

Jawad Nirjhar stated in his Facebook post: “I was working with Mahfuz Alam’s CDR (call data record). He makes calls from Dubai to real estate and investment companies. Previously, another audio exposing similar schemes was released. I demand an investigation into Mahfuz Alam and this audio.”

In the leaked recording, Mahfuz Alam is heard negotiating over tender commissions. At one point, the individual on the other end of the line mentions providing 3% commission.

Mahfuz Alam responds:“If the work is confirmed, it’s 3%. Now some works I’ve done at 6%, you check. One percent goes to the middleman, five percent to the ministry. These are fixed.”

He further explains the process of execution:“What I am doing is, the adviser will sign, giving 50%; CCGB will approve, then the remaining 50% will be delivered.”

Mahfuz Alam also instructs the person on the line to follow the current format strictly and threatens to hold up files if terms are not adhered to:“I’ll hold the file now. If the commitment isn’t correct, you see the consequences. If terms differ, there’s a problem… I will execute via EGP today, but I’ll keep the contract pending. You will confirm later. And the two 1.5%, two 1%, these will not happen; 1.5 means 1.5, that’s it.”

The audio leak has generated widespread discussion on social media. Many observers are calling for an impartial investigation, while others argue that if the allegations are true, this represents a significant challenge to administrative transparency and accountability.

One comment noted: “If this is true, it reflects not only Mahfuz as an individual but the corruption embedded in the entire administrative system.

The incident has sparked calls for greater oversight of public procurement and renewed attention to administrative integrity in the interim government. Social media discussions emphasise the urgency of transparency in governance processes.