Hotel project in Kuakata stirs up controversy

Patuakhali Correspondent: A proposed hotel project in Kuakata, Patuakhali, has stirred up controversy on social media amidst allegations against Syed Abed Ali – a driver for the chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and accused in connection with leaking questions from 30 recruitment exams, including the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. The hotel named ‘Hotel Sun Marina’, owned by Mohammad Mosarraf Hossen, has become the center of attention in the area even before construction commences. Syed Abed posted statuses about the hotel project.

On May 18th, Abed Ali wrote on his Facebook page: “Today we laid the foundation stone of our new hotel.” Abed Ali hails from Dasar upazila in Madaripur. He has already put up posters in the area for the post of chairman in the Dasar Upazila Parishad elections.  The proposed site for the hotel in Kuakata currently lies vacant, with plans for 7-8 rooms made from tin sheds visible in the area.

A signboard showcasing the hotel’s design stands at the designated location. In response to the allegations and public scrutiny, Mohammad Mosarraf Hossen, the primary investor behind the project, said that the hotel is still in its initial stages of planning.

“Two-three months ago, Syed Abed visited another hotel near mine. The next morning, he came to my hotel’s site and expressed interest in purchasing shares. That’s all I know. I do not know him personally.”

He added, “Abed seems like a tout to me. I will lodge a General Diary (GD) at Gulshan Police Station in Dhaka for this reason.” Hossen is the management director of Liberty Group and is involved in regular work with entities like Power Development Board (PDB), Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), Rural Electrification Board (REB), Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), and Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO).