Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said a new president will be appointed within 90 days if the presidency becomes vacant, in line with the Constitution. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a training programme for junior lawyers at the Chattogram District Bar Association auditorium on July 26, he said Article 123(2) makes the appointment a constitutional obligation and that the process will be completed within the stipulated period.

Asked whether action would be taken against outgoing President Md Shahabuddin (Chuppu), the minister said the government would decide after reviewing all matters. He said people should place trust in the head of government and the administration. In his address as chief guest, he claimed that $234 billion had been illicitly transferred abroad through documented channels from Bangladesh over the past 16 years.

Citing information from a Time magazine report, Asaduzzaman said about $16 billion was transferred abroad annually on average. He also alleged widespread looting in the name of development projects during the previous government. Referring to an LGED project in Pirojpur worth about Tk3,500 crore, he claimed paperwork showed completion but no work had been carried out in reality. He called for coordinated efforts by the judiciary, lawyers and state institutions against corruption and for rule of law and accountability.