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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Abul Maal Abdul Muhith
| name               = Abul Maal Abdul Muhith
| native_name = আবুল মাল আব্দুল মুহিত
| native_name         = আবুল মাল আব্দুল মুহিত
| native_name_lang = bn
| native_name_lang   = bn
| image = Abul Maal Abdul Muhith.jpg
| image               = Abul Maal Abdul Muhith.jpg
| office = [[Minister of Finance (Bangladesh)|Minister of Finance]]
| caption            = Muhith in 2015
| predecessor = [[Mirza Azizul Islam]] {{small|(Acting)}}
| office             = [[Minister of Finance (Bangladesh)|Minister of Finance]]
| primeminister = [[Sheikh Hasina]]
| predecessor         = [[Mirza Azizul Islam]] {{small|(acting)}}
| term_start = 6 January 2009
| primeminister       = [[Sheikh Hasina]]
| term_end = 7 January 2019  
| term_start         = 6 January 2009
| successor = [[Mustafa Kamal (politician)|Mustafa Kamal]]
| term_end           = 7 January 2019
| constituency_MP1 = [[Sylhet-1]]
| successor           = [[Mustafa Kamal (politician)|Mustafa Kamal]]
| term_start1 = 2009
| constituency_MP1   = [[Sylhet-1]]
| term_end1 = 2018
| term_start1         = 2009
| predecessor1 = [[Saifur Rahman (Bangladeshi politician)|Saifur Rahman]]
| term_end1           = 2018
| successor1 = [[AK Abdul Momen]]
| predecessor1       = [[Saifur Rahman (Bangladeshi politician)|Saifur Rahman]]
| party = [[Bangladesh Awami League]]
| successor1         = [[AK Abdul Momen]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1934|01|25|df=y}}
| party               = [[Bangladesh Awami League]]
| birth_place = [[Sylhet]], [[Assam Province]], [[British India]]
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1934|01|25|df=y}}
| nationality = Bangladeshi
| birth_place         = [[Sylhet]], [[Assam Province]], [[British India]]
| alma_mater = {{unbulleted list|[[Sylhet Government Pilot High School]]|[[Murari Chand College]]|[[University of Dhaka]]|[[Harvard University]]}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/04/06/muhith-wants-retire/|title=Muhith wants to retire |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=6 April 2017 |access-date=2018-02-18}}</ref>
| death_date          = {{death date and age|2022|4|30|1934|01|25|df=y}}
| mother = [[Syeda Shahar Banu]]
| death_place        = [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh
| relatives = [[AK Abdul Momen|Abul Kalam Abdul Momen]] (brother)
| nationality         = Bangladeshi
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/government-affairs/2019/01/07/momen-economic-diplomacy-will-be-my-focus|title=Momen: Economic diplomacy will be my focus|date=2019-01-07|website=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2020-01-06}}</ref>[[Shahla Khatun]] (sister)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%82-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4?fbclid=IwAR229XHpxG81HFIXrg63NvZbNoFt2NDBYYFD8luTiPRjy6cEozODc8XPUm4|title=একাত্তরে ঢাকা মেডিকেল এবং একটি প্রসবের ইতিবৃত্ত|date=2021-07-28|website=Prothom Alo}}</ref>
| alma_mater         = {{unbulleted list|[[University of Dhaka]]|[[Harvard University]]}}
| signature = AMA Muhith signature.jpg
| father              = Abu Ahmad Abdul Hafiz
| mother             = [[Syeda Shahar Banu]]
| relatives           = {{ubl|[[AK Abdul Momen]] (brother)|[[Shahla Khatun]] (sister)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%82-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4?fbclid=IwAR229XHpxG81HFIXrg63NvZbNoFt2NDBYYFD8luTiPRjy6cEozODc8XPUm4|title=একাত্তরে ঢাকা মেডিকেল এবং একটি প্রসবের ইতিবৃত্ত|date=2021-07-28|website=Prothom Alo|language=bn}}</ref>}}
| resting_place      = [[Sylhet]]
}}
}}
'''Abul Maal Abdul Muhith''' ({{lang-bn|আবুল মাল আব্দুল মুহিত}}; born 25 January 1934)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/2018/02/18/muhith-responds-to-badruddoza-s-remarks-says-retirement-is-a-better-option-for-us|title=Muhith responds to Badruddoza's remarks, says retirement is a better option for 'us'|date=2018-02-18|work=bdnews24.com|access-date=2018-02-18}}</ref> is a Bangladeshi economist, writer, diplomat and politician. He served as Bangladesh's [[Minister of Finance (Bangladesh)|Finance Minister]] from January 2009 till December 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pressinform.portal.gov.bd/site/page/773a8ddf-c411-4654-9ba9-d821147e1a40 |url-status=dead |script-title=bn:মন্ত্রিগণের জীবনবৃত্তান্ত |trans-title=Cabinet Biographies |date=12 March 2015 |website=Press Information Department, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313165211/http://pressinform.portal.gov.bd/site/page/773a8ddf-c411-4654-9ba9-d821147e1a40 |archive-date=2015-03-13 |access-date=2018-09-19}}</ref>
 
'''Abul Maal Abdul Muhith''' (25 January 1934 – 30 April 2022)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-30 |title=Former finance minister AMA Muhith no more |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/abul-maal-abdul-muhith-no-more-3015461|access-date=2022-05-01 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> was a Bangladeshi economist, writer, civil servant, secretary, diplomat and politician. He served as the [[Minister of Finance (Bangladesh)|Finance Minister]] of the [[government of Bangladesh]] from January 2009 until January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pressinform.portal.gov.bd/site/page/773a8ddf-c411-4654-9ba9-d821147e1a40 |url-status=dead |script-title=bn:মন্ত্রিগণের জীবনবৃত্তান্ত |trans-title=Cabinet Biographies |date=12 March 2015 |website=Press Information Department, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313165211/http://pressinform.portal.gov.bd/site/page/773a8ddf-c411-4654-9ba9-d821147e1a40 |archive-date=2015-03-13 |access-date=2018-09-19}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Abul Maal Abdul Muhith was born on 25 January 1934, to a [[Bengali Muslim]] political family in [[Sylhet]]. His father, Abu Ahmad Abdul Hafiz, was a judge who was one of the founders of the Sylhet branch of the [[All-India Muslim League]] and took part in the [[Pakistan Movement]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sylhetsadar.sylhet.gov.bd/site/page/5a02709b-0757-11e7-a6c5-286ed488c766/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%20%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC |title=সংরক্ষণাগারভুক্ত অনুলিপি|language=bn|access-date=31 December 2018|work=[[Sylhet Sadar Upazila]]|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030203/http://sylhetsadar.sylhet.gov.bd/site/page/5a02709b-0757-11e7-a6c5-286ed488c766/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%20%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC}}</ref> His mother, [[Syeda Shahar Banu]], was one of the leading women of the [[Bengali language movement]]. He was the third child in a family of fourteen children, and his younger brother is [[AK Abdul Momen|Abul Kalam Abdul Momen]], the incumbent [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Bangladesh)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] for Bangladesh.<ref name=prothomalo>{{cite news|url=http://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/article/1066685/%E2%80%98%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E2%80%99|title=জীবনটা নিয়ে আমি সন্তুষ্ট|work=[[Prothom Alo]]|language=bn|date=25 January 2017}}</ref>
Muhith was born on 25 January 1934, to a [[Bengali Muslim]] political family in [[Sylhet]]. His father, Abu Ahmad Abdul Hafiz, a judge in profession, was one of the founders of the Sylhet branch of the [[All-India Muslim League]] and took part in the [[Pakistan Movement]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sylhetsadar.sylhet.gov.bd/site/page/5a02709b-0757-11e7-a6c5-286ed488c766/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%20%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC |title=সংরক্ষণাগারভুক্ত অনুলিপি|language=bn|access-date=31 December 2018|work=[[Sylhet Sadar Upazila]]|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030203/http://sylhetsadar.sylhet.gov.bd/site/page/5a02709b-0757-11e7-a6c5-286ed488c766/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%20%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC}}</ref> His mother, [[Syeda Shahar Banu]], was one of the leading women of the [[Bengali language movement]]. He was the third child in a family of fourteen children, and his younger brother is [[AK Abdul Momen]], the incumbent [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Bangladesh)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] for Bangladesh.<ref name=prothomalo>{{cite news|url=http://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/article/1066685/%E2%80%98%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E2%80%99|title=জীবনটা নিয়ে আমি সন্তুষ্ট|work=[[Prothom Alo]]|language=bn|date=25 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/government-affairs/2019/01/07/momen-economic-diplomacy-will-be-my-focus|title=Momen: Economic diplomacy will be my focus|date=2019-01-07|website=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2020-01-06}}</ref>


Muhith passed the matriculation exam from [[Sylhet Government Pilot High School]] in 1949.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} He secured first place in his Intermediate examination in 1951 from Sylhet [[Murari Chand College|MC College]]. He stood first class first in B.A. (Hons.) in English Literature in 1953 from [[University of Dhaka]] and passed his Masters with credit from the same university in 1955. While in service to the government, he studied at the [[University of Oxford]] in 1957–1958.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muhith's life entwined with Bangladesh  |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/muhiths-life-entwined-bangladesh-575071 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> He completed a [[Master of Public Administration]] at [[Harvard University]] in 1964.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mof.gov.bd/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=1 |title=A Brief Lifesketch of Finance Minister |publisher=Ministry of Finance, Government of The People's Republic of Bangladesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927131048/https://mof.gov.bd/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=1 |archive-date=2011-09-27}}</ref>
Muhith passed the matriculation exam from [[Sylhet Government Pilot High School]] in 1949.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} He secured first place in his Intermediate examination in 1951 from [[Murari Chand College]]. He stood first class first in B.A. (Hons.) in English literature in 1953 from thye [[University of Dhaka]] and passed his masters with credit from the same university in 1955. While in service to the government, he studied at the [[University of Oxford]] during 1957–1958.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muhith's life entwined with Bangladesh  |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/muhiths-life-entwined-bangladesh-575071 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> He completed his [[Master of Public Administration]] degree at [[Harvard University]] in 1964.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mof.gov.bd/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=1 |title=A Brief Lifesketch of Finance Minister |publisher=Ministry of Finance, Government of The People's Republic of Bangladesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927131048/https://mof.gov.bd/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=1 |archive-date=2011-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/04/06/muhith-wants-retire/|title=Muhith wants to retire |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=6 April 2017 |access-date=2018-02-18}}</ref>


==Early career==
==Early career==
Muhith served as the general secretary of the central committee of the Pakistan Civil Service Association during 1960–1969. He joined the Pakistan Embassy in the United States as an Economic Counselor in 1969. In 1966, he was honoured with the Tamgha e Khidmat award by the Pakistan government. During his service as the Chief and Deputy Secretary of Pakistan Planning Commission, he made a report on the discrimination between East and West Pakistan and that was the first submitted report on that issue in [[Pakistan National Congress]]. He was the first diplomat of Washington Embassy who showed his consent in favour of Bangladesh giving up the side of Pakistan during the Independence War of 1971. He was appointed as the Secretary of Planning in 1972 and Secretary of the External Resource Department of Finance and Planning Ministry in 1977.
Muhith served as the general secretary of the central committee of the Pakistan Civil Service Association during 1960–1969. He joined the Pakistan Embassy in the United States as an Economic Counselor in 1969. In 1966, he was honoured with the Tamgha e Khidmat award by the Pakistan government. During his service as the Chief and Deputy Secretary of Pakistan Planning Commission, he made a report on the discrimination between East and West Pakistan and that was the first submitted report on that issue in [[Pakistan National Congress]]. He was the first diplomat of Washington Embassy who showed his consent in favour of Bangladesh giving up the side of Pakistan during the Independence War of 1971. He was appointed the Secretary of Planning in 1972 and Secretary of the External Resource Department of Finance and Planning Ministry in 1977.


==Retirement and return==
==Retirement and return==
Muhith went for self-retirement in 1981 from his service and then he started his second innings of his career as the specialist of economics and development in [[Ford Foundation]] and in the [[International Fund for Agricultural Development]] (IFAD). He became Finance and Planning Minister in 1982–83. Next, he worked as the specialist of different institutions of World Bank and the United Nations. He has been a recognised figure in the [[World Bank]], [[International Monetary Fund]], IDB and in different organisations of United Nations. He was the Visiting Fellow of [[Princeton University]] in 1984 and 1985.
Muhith went for self-retirement in 1981 from his service and then he started his second innings of his career as the specialist of economics and development in [[Ford Foundation]] and in the [[International Fund for Agricultural Development]] (IFAD). He became Finance and Planning Minister in 1982–83. Next, he worked as the specialist of different institutions of World Bank and the United Nations. He has been a recognised figure in the [[World Bank]], [[International Monetary Fund]], IDB and in different organisations of United Nations. He was the visiting fellow of [[Princeton University]] in 1984 and 1985.


Muhith took oath as the Finance Minister of Bangladesh government on 6 January 2009 and in August 2009 he inaugurated the building of the Benapole Customs and Immigration Check Post.<ref>{{cite web |author=Padmanabhan, Mohan |author-link=Mohan Padmanabhan |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/08/10/75648.html |title=Petrapole, Benapole Customs points to get facelift soon |work=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |date=10 August 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911235020/http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/08/10/75648.html |archive-date=11 September 2012 |access-date=2009-08-14 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Muhith took oath as the Finance Minister of Bangladesh government on 6 January 2009 and in August 2009 he inaugurated the building of the Benapole Customs and Immigration Check Post.<ref>{{cite web |author=Padmanabhan, Mohan |author-link=Mohan Padmanabhan |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/08/10/75648.html |title=Petrapole, Benapole Customs points to get facelift soon |work=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |date=10 August 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911235020/http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/08/10/75648.html |archive-date=11 September 2012 |access-date=2009-08-14 |url-status=live}}</ref>


Muhith retired from Government and from his role as Member of Parliament for [[Sylhet-1]] constituency at the Elections of December 2018. His younger brother [[AK Abdul Momen]] succeeded him as MP.
Muhith retired from the government and from his role as a [[Jatiya Sangsad]] member for the [[Sylhet-1]] constituency at the elections of December 2018. His younger brother [[AK Abdul Momen]] succeeded him as the constituency representative.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Muhith is the husband of designer Syeda Sabia, and the father of two sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Samia Muhith, is a banker and an expert in the field of monetary policy. Their eldest son, Shahed Muhith, is an architect, and youngest son, Samir Muhith, is a teacher.<ref name=prothomalo/>
Muhith was married to designer Syeda Sabia. Their daughter, Samina Muhith, is a banker and an expert in the field of monetary policy. Their elder son, Shahed Muhith, is an architect, and younger son, Samir Muhith, is a teacher.<ref name=prothomalo/>
 
On 5 March 2022, Muhith was taken to Green Life Hospital in [[Dhaka]] due to illness.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-finance minister AMA Muhith hospitalised |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/ex-finance-minister-ama-muhith-hospitalised-380449 |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=The Business Standard |date=5 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> He died on 30 April 2022 at United Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-30 |title=Ex-finance minister AMA Muhith passes away |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/ex-finance-minister-ama-muhith-passes-away-411930 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref>


==Works==
==Works==
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==Criticism==
==Criticism==
Muhith had faced criticism for his handling of the [[2011 Bangladesh share market scam|2011 share market crash]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Muhith must resign for stock crash|url=http://thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=171348|access-date=2011-10-18|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=24 January 2011}}</ref><ref name=resign2>{{cite news|title=I won't resign: Muhith |url=http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=198890&hb=top |access-date=2011-10-18 |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=20 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321154116/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=198890&hb=top |archive-date=2012-03-21}}</ref> He admitted to his mistakes in decisions related to the stock market in addition to the mistakes of the [[Securities and Exchange Commission (Bangladesh)|Security and Exchange Commission]].<ref name=mistake>{{cite news|title=Stock crash: Muhith admits mistakes |url=http://theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/30382-stock-crashmuhith-admits-mistakes.html |access-date=2011-10-18 |newspaper=The Independent Bangladesh |date=22 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331144247/http://theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/30382-stock-crashmuhith-admits-mistakes.html |archive-date=2012-03-31}}</ref> Although the opposition leaders and protesting investors had called for his resignation, he refused and defended his position.<ref name=resign2 /> He had appointed a probe committee to investigate the allegations against the Security Exchange Commission, however this also attracted criticism towards him as he consequently refused to publicly disclose the names of those accused of chicanery by this committee. Muhith became the center of a criticism after he had commented on the Hallmark money scam that the Tk 4,000 crore embezzled was a "meager amount". He later apologized for his statement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Juberee |first=Abdullah |date=7 September 2012 |title=Hallmark remarks Muhith offers apology |url=http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-09-07&nid=22892 |work=The New Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116150045/http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-09-07&nid=22892 |archive-date=2012-11-16}}</ref>
Muhith had faced criticism for his handling of the [[2011 Bangladesh share market scam|2011 share market crash]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Muhith must resign for stock crash|url=http://thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=171348|access-date=2011-10-18|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=24 January 2011}}</ref><ref name=resign2>{{cite news|title=I won't resign: Muhith |url=http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=198890&hb=top |access-date=2011-10-18 |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=20 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321154116/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=198890&hb=top |archive-date=2012-03-21}}</ref> He admitted to his mistakes in decisions related to the stock market in addition to the mistakes of the [[Securities and Exchange Commission (Bangladesh)|Security and Exchange Commission]].<ref name=mistake>{{cite news|title=Stock crash: Muhith admits mistakes |url=http://theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/30382-stock-crashmuhith-admits-mistakes.html |access-date=2011-10-18 |newspaper=The Independent Bangladesh |date=22 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331144247/http://theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/30382-stock-crashmuhith-admits-mistakes.html |archive-date=2012-03-31}}</ref> Although the opposition leaders and protesting investors had called for his resignation, he refused and defended his position.<ref name=resign2 /> He had appointed a probe committee to investigate the allegations against the Security Exchange Commission, however this also attracted criticism towards him as he consequently refused to publicly disclose the names of those accused of chicanery by this committee. Muhith became the center of a criticism after he had commented on the Hallmark money scam that the Tk 4,000 crore embezzled was a "meager amount". He later apologized for his statement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Juberee |first=Abdullah |date=7 September 2012 |title=Hallmark remarks Muhith offers apology |url=http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-09-07&nid=22892 |work=The New Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116150045/http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-09-07&nid=22892 |archive-date=2012-11-16}}</ref>
Muhith had been criticised for consistently insulting Nobel laureate [[Muhammad Yunus]] and terming his comments as "totally rubbish" and also for saying Yunus has no integrity over the [[Grameen Bank]] issue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muhith terms Yunus's remarks totally rubbish |url=http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=0160134f4214329e47c0dadcb73f646f&nttl=2012090241098 |work=banglanews24.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927093938/http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=0160134f4214329e47c0dadcb73f646f&nttl=2012090241098 |archive-date=2013-09-27}}</ref> In September 2015, Muhith faced widespread criticisms for his remarks against the movement of public university teachers of Bangladesh seeking for a separate pay scale. He later apologized for his remarks. At the same time, controversy was caused by [[2015 Bangladesh student protests|VAT being imposed]] on the Bangladeshi private university education system:<ref>{{cite news |title=Private university students in Dhaka protest VAT on tuition fees |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/09/12/private-university-students-continue-vat-protests |work=bdnews24.com}}</ref> Muhith defended this decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Universities, not students to pay VAT: Muhith |url = http://www.thedailystar.net/shout/education/vat-pvt-universities-won’t-be-withdrawn-muhith-140890 |work = The Daily Star  |date = 10 September 2015 |access-date = 2016-01-14}}</ref>
Muhith had been criticised for consistently insulting Nobel laureate [[Muhammad Yunus]] and terming his comments as "totally rubbish" and also for saying Yunus has no integrity over the [[Grameen Bank]] issue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muhith terms Yunus's remarks totally rubbish |url=http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=0160134f4214329e47c0dadcb73f646f&nttl=2012090241098 |work=banglanews24.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927093938/http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=0160134f4214329e47c0dadcb73f646f&nttl=2012090241098 |archive-date=2013-09-27}}</ref> In September 2015, Muhith faced widespread criticisms for his remarks against the movement of public university teachers of Bangladesh seeking a separate pay scale. He later apologized for his remarks. At the same time, controversy was caused by [[2015 Bangladesh student protests|VAT being imposed]] on the Bangladeshi private university education system:<ref>{{cite news |title=Private university students in Dhaka protest VAT on tuition fees |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/09/12/private-university-students-continue-vat-protests |work=bdnews24.com}}</ref> Muhith defended this decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Universities, not students to pay VAT: Muhith |url = http://www.thedailystar.net/shout/education/vat-pvt-universities-won’t-be-withdrawn-muhith-140890 |work = The Daily Star  |date = 10 September 2015 |access-date = 2016-01-14}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Commonscatinline}}


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Revision as of 20:17, 25 June 2022


Abul Maal Abdul Muhith
আবুল মাল আব্দুল মুহিত
Muhith in 2015
Minister of Finance
In office
6 January 2009 – 7 January 2019
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Preceded byMirza Azizul Islam (acting)
Succeeded byMustafa Kamal
Member of Parliament
for Sylhet-1
In office
2009–2018
Preceded bySaifur Rahman
Succeeded byAK Abdul Momen
Personal details
Born(1934-01-25)25 January 1934
Sylhet, Assam Province, British India
Died30 April 2022(2022-04-30) (aged 88)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Resting placeSylhet
NationalityBangladeshi
Political partyBangladesh Awami League
Parents
Relatives
Alma mater

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith (25 January 1934 – 30 April 2022)[2] was a Bangladeshi economist, writer, civil servant, secretary, diplomat and politician. He served as the Finance Minister of the government of Bangladesh from January 2009 until January 2019.[3]

Early life and education

Muhith was born on 25 January 1934, to a Bengali Muslim political family in Sylhet. His father, Abu Ahmad Abdul Hafiz, a judge in profession, was one of the founders of the Sylhet branch of the All-India Muslim League and took part in the Pakistan Movement.[4] His mother, Syeda Shahar Banu, was one of the leading women of the Bengali language movement. He was the third child in a family of fourteen children, and his younger brother is AK Abdul Momen, the incumbent Minister of Foreign Affairs for Bangladesh.[5][6]

Muhith passed the matriculation exam from Sylhet Government Pilot High School in 1949.[citation needed] He secured first place in his Intermediate examination in 1951 from Murari Chand College. He stood first class first in B.A. (Hons.) in English literature in 1953 from thye University of Dhaka and passed his masters with credit from the same university in 1955. While in service to the government, he studied at the University of Oxford during 1957–1958.[7] He completed his Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard University in 1964.[8][9]

Early career

Muhith served as the general secretary of the central committee of the Pakistan Civil Service Association during 1960–1969. He joined the Pakistan Embassy in the United States as an Economic Counselor in 1969. In 1966, he was honoured with the Tamgha e Khidmat award by the Pakistan government. During his service as the Chief and Deputy Secretary of Pakistan Planning Commission, he made a report on the discrimination between East and West Pakistan and that was the first submitted report on that issue in Pakistan National Congress. He was the first diplomat of Washington Embassy who showed his consent in favour of Bangladesh giving up the side of Pakistan during the Independence War of 1971. He was appointed the Secretary of Planning in 1972 and Secretary of the External Resource Department of Finance and Planning Ministry in 1977.

Retirement and return

Muhith went for self-retirement in 1981 from his service and then he started his second innings of his career as the specialist of economics and development in Ford Foundation and in the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). He became Finance and Planning Minister in 1982–83. Next, he worked as the specialist of different institutions of World Bank and the United Nations. He has been a recognised figure in the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, IDB and in different organisations of United Nations. He was the visiting fellow of Princeton University in 1984 and 1985.

Muhith took oath as the Finance Minister of Bangladesh government on 6 January 2009 and in August 2009 he inaugurated the building of the Benapole Customs and Immigration Check Post.[10]

Muhith retired from the government and from his role as a Jatiya Sangsad member for the Sylhet-1 constituency at the elections of December 2018. His younger brother AK Abdul Momen succeeded him as the constituency representative.

Personal life

Muhith was married to designer Syeda Sabia. Their daughter, Samina Muhith, is a banker and an expert in the field of monetary policy. Their elder son, Shahed Muhith, is an architect, and younger son, Samir Muhith, is a teacher.[5]

On 5 March 2022, Muhith was taken to Green Life Hospital in Dhaka due to illness.[11] He died on 30 April 2022 at United Hospital.[12]

Works

  • Bangladesh, emergence of a nation (1978)
  • Thoughts on development administration (1981)
  • American response to Bangladesh liberation war (1996)
  • Bangladesh in the twenty-first century : towards an industrial society (1999)
  • Issues of governance in Bangladesh (2001)
  • State language movement in East Bengal, 1947-1956 (2006)
  • History of Bangladesh : A Subcontinental Civilisation (2016)[13]

Criticism

Muhith had faced criticism for his handling of the 2011 share market crash.[14][15] He admitted to his mistakes in decisions related to the stock market in addition to the mistakes of the Security and Exchange Commission.[16] Although the opposition leaders and protesting investors had called for his resignation, he refused and defended his position.[15] He had appointed a probe committee to investigate the allegations against the Security Exchange Commission, however this also attracted criticism towards him as he consequently refused to publicly disclose the names of those accused of chicanery by this committee. Muhith became the center of a criticism after he had commented on the Hallmark money scam that the Tk 4,000 crore embezzled was a "meager amount". He later apologized for his statement.[17] Muhith had been criticised for consistently insulting Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and terming his comments as "totally rubbish" and also for saying Yunus has no integrity over the Grameen Bank issue.[18] In September 2015, Muhith faced widespread criticisms for his remarks against the movement of public university teachers of Bangladesh seeking a separate pay scale. He later apologized for his remarks. At the same time, controversy was caused by VAT being imposed on the Bangladeshi private university education system:[19] Muhith defended this decision.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "একাত্তরে ঢাকা মেডিকেল এবং একটি প্রসবের ইতিবৃত্ত". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 28 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Former finance minister AMA Muhith no more". The Daily Star. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  3. ↑ মন্ত্রিগণের জীবনবৃত্তান্ত [Cabinet Biographies]. Press Information Department, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (in Bengali). 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "সংরক্ষণাগারভুক্ত অনুলিপি". Sylhet Sadar Upazila (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "জীবনটা নিয়ে আমি সন্তুষ্ট". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 25 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Momen: Economic diplomacy will be my focus". Dhaka Tribune. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  7. ↑ "Muhith's life entwined with Bangladesh". The Daily Star.
  8. ↑ "A Brief Lifesketch of Finance Minister". Ministry of Finance, Government of The People's Republic of Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011.
  9. ↑ "Muhith wants to retire". Dhaka Tribune. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  10. ↑ Padmanabhan, Mohan (10 August 2009). "Petrapole, Benapole Customs points to get facelift soon". The Financial Express. Dhaka. Retrieved 14 August 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ "Ex-finance minister AMA Muhith hospitalised". The Business Standard. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  12. ↑ "Ex-finance minister AMA Muhith passes away". The Business Standard. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Alam, Shahid (19 September 2016). "Quest for knowing and understanding Bangladesh". The Daily Star. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  14. ↑ "Muhith must resign for stock crash". The Daily Star. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "I won't resign: Muhith". bdnews24.com. 20 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  16. ↑ "Stock crash: Muhith admits mistakes". The Independent Bangladesh. 22 January 2011. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  17. ↑ Juberee, Abdullah (7 September 2012). "Hallmark remarks Muhith offers apology". The New Age. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012.
  18. ↑ "Muhith terms Yunus's remarks totally rubbish". banglanews24.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
  19. ↑ "Private university students in Dhaka protest VAT on tuition fees". bdnews24.com.
  20. ↑ "Universities, not students to pay VAT: Muhith". The Daily Star. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
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