Shafiqul Reflects on Dustbin, Bonsai Rows as Press Secretary

Completing one year as press secretary to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Shafiqul Alam took to Facebook on Thursday, August 14, 2025, to reflect on a rollercoaster journey, tackling controversies like his “dustbin” jab at Sheikh Hasina and “bonsai” remark about leftists. Moving from a foreign news agency bureau chief to Daily Spotlight, he called it an “unbelievable ride,” learning daily while building the role from the ground up, despite its once-formal nature.

“Did I do a good job?” Alam asked, answering, “I think so, but some friends disagree, and I respect that. Wish I’d done better.” He admitted to slip-ups—reacting too late or when he shouldn’t have—noting communication’s “dismal science” nature, where rules bend in reality. The role strained his family, with his wife, kids, and siblings bearing the brunt. He lost friends and journalist allies, with young reporters slamming him as a “spin doctor.” Alam pushed back, “I didn’t spin. I called it as it is—white as white, black as black. Different takes don’t mean lies.”

Addressing hot-button issues, he defended calling Hasina a “dustbin,” saying, “Yes, it was needed. She was a brutal dictator. Post-July Bangladesh had to show her her place.” On the “bonsai” quip, he clarified, “I didn’t brand leftists bonsai. I said they want Bangladesh stunted like one.” He ruled out politics, vowing, “Inshallah, I’ll return to journalism.” He downplayed an alleged attack by Awami League supporters in London as “just barking” outside Chatham House, adding, “Barking’s better than killing, which they could’ve done in their 16 years.”

Alam clarified his dual role as press secretary and government voice, per the White House model. He owned a gaffe about UK PM Starmer “possibly” being in Canada on August 10, 2025, during Yunus’s UK trip, blaming media for dropping “possibly” after a British MP’s tip. “I should’ve checked,” he admitted. Loving the job as a “huge learning curve,” he wished for 36-hour days to cope. He gave the government an “A++” for reforms and election focus, and his press wing as “trailblazers” setting a high bar. Savings drained, his biggest fear is flubbing live briefings with no take-backs.