Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has clarified that his use of the word “heaven” was not in its “true sense”, but only meant for comparing the situation in Bangladesh with other countries.
He said: "I meant that people of Bangladesh are in a far better situation compared to other countries amid global recession."
Calling him an open-minded person, he further said: “After all I am a public figure. I am an open person.”
The foreign minister wore his usual smile as he also described, in his own style, how the media treated him in their reports on this comment.
In Sylhet on Saturday, Momen said his comments were "twisted" as he meant that people of Bangladesh are in a far better situation compared to other countries amid global recession.
Comparing the situation with other countries, the foreign minister on Friday said people in Bangladesh are leading a happy life and "living in heaven" compared to other countries.
He said a certain group is spreading panic claiming that Bangladesh will face a Sri Lanka-like situation. "This is baseless."