Fuad Kasumović for NAP: Zenica will be ruled by the capable and qualified, not by incompetent cronies

All analyses indicate that Fuad Kasumović is the favorite in these elections in Zenica. Citizens believe that this economic expert could once again turn Zenica into an industrial giant.  

Kasumović has extensive experience in economics and politics. He began his political career as the Minister of Finance in the Central Bosnia Canton in 1996. After that, he became the Deputy Director of the Customs Administration of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), and a few years later, the advisor to the director for international cooperation at the Indirect Taxation Authority.

Since 2007, he held one of the most important positions in the country, serving as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury.

And of all the accolades he has, he says the one dearest to him is the "Golden Lily," which he received for his bravery during the defense-liberation war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Fuad Kasumović was born in 1958 in Gornji Vakuf. He lives with his wife Mersija, with whom he has a daughter, Aida.

In an interview with the Patria News Agency, he discusses how he plans to make Zenica an economic giant, attract investors back, and how he managed to fight against some individuals from the SDA who are working against him.

PATRIA: At one time, you were a member of the SDA. Why are you an independent candidate in this campaign? You once stated that the country is more important to you than the party.

KASUMOVIĆ: The country should be more important to all of us. I am independent because the SDA decided to offer the citizens of Zenica a candidate for the most important position in the city who has never led two people in his life. He cannot lead Zenica. What is even more regrettable, the group around Ibrahim Šišić, the self-proclaimed president of SDA Zenica, wants a puppet to control as they please. That's why they nominated this young man (Naidin Ahmetspahić, editor's note).
 
This is irresponsible towards the citizens. I believe I have results, a rich biography, and that I am a credible person, capable of meeting the challenges facing Zenica. Bakir Izetbegović should also behave this way when conducting politics and leading the SDA. He did not stop Milorad Dodik's referendum. On the contrary, he extended his political life with IMF money.

Furthermore, he did not oppose betting shops, and they continue to legally damage the state budget by hundreds of millions of KM.

If he had democratized the SDA, there would not be such situations with independent candidates, as it is clear that many yes-men surround him. For these reasons, along with several parliamentary colleagues, led by Senad Šepić and Šemsudin Mehmedović, we clearly stated our positions and our fight for a more honest and better SDA. This demand and public appeal have the support of the people and SDA members, and I see this support growing stronger every day on the ground. People have recognized that we are not fighting for positions but for principles and a better situation within the SDA, our local communities, and the country...

PATRIA: Analyses suggest you are the favorite in these elections in Zenica. However, you also claimed that the party is everything and that a candidate could be Einstein, but not even a doorman if they are not a party member. How do you fight against party monoliths?

KASUMOVIĆ: Parties have taken over the state, unfortunately. It is difficult to fight against that, and only citizens in elections can stop it. This partyocracy is consuming our society and serves only the chosen few, so a few families control the country, having attached their entire structure to the state payroll. This is unsustainable, and as the future mayor of Zenica, I will first tackle this approach and, using our city as an example, show that capable people can be employed throughout the country. In Zenica, the society of cronies will no longer exist; the capable and qualified will rule.

 

PATRIA: Today, the SDA is campaigning on the name of the late mayor Husejin Smajlović. However, you were his man for project implementation. Therefore, if anyone can claim closeness to Husejin Smajlović, it is you?

KASUMOVIĆ: The late Husejin Smajlović was my friend, and we collaborated on many projects. He led Zenica well and knew how to listen to what the people of Zenica needed. The people of Zenica know that the late Huso engaged me on important projects, such as the construction of the Main City Magistral Road. That project was realized through a loan from the Saudi Fund for Development. It was the idea of the late Husejin Smajlović, which I, as the Deputy Minister of Finance of Bosnia and Herzegovina, implemented with colleagues from Saudi Arabia. Therefore, there are visible indicators behind me. As for the others, they only recite Fatiha, but that is not enough to run a serious city, which it was and must be again after October 2nd.

PATRIA: Until now, Zenica has exclusively elected SDA cadres. Who is your competition?

KASUMOVIĆ: Zenica has elected and believed in the SDA. However, how has that party repaid them? By listening to directives from Sarajevo or even Kakanj. This is unacceptable. Furthermore, if the president of the Municipal Organization, Ibrahim Šišić, is truly competent, brave, and understands basic democratic principles, why didn't he run for mayor? He dares not. And then he puts forward this young man who doesn't know how to manage a large system like the City of Zenica. The SDA has its party machinery, but I believe that many people from the SDA will vote for me, as will all the citizens of Zenica who see me as a capable and worthy person for the position of mayor of Zenica. The other candidates, realistically, have no chance.

PATRIA: Why have there been no direct foreign investments in Zenica for 12 years? Why do investors bypass a city that has always been known for its powerful industrial tradition?

KASUMOVIĆ: Because they have no ideas. Because they are only involved in party-based employment. Because they don't know how. We must better utilize our strategic position and our industrial tradition. I have this in my program and I know how to negotiate with foreign investors and how to improve the business climate in Zenica. Zenica needs capable people with ideas, who know how to use European funds, who know how to attract foreign capital, and who know how to make Zenica a regional center modeled after modern European cities. Such a team of people will work with me in the new City Administration of Zenica. From the heart of Bosnia, from Zenica, I believe a more honest and just Bosnia and Herzegovina will emerge.

PATRIA: You have long claimed that Sarajevo rules Zenica, that this relationship is detrimental to both Zenica and the capital, and that this situation needs to change.

KASUMOVIĆ: Zenica has been neglected by the SDA. The people know this. In the absence of ideas and new jobs, elites scare us with referendums, war... They recite Fatiha for the late Alija Izetbegović and Husejin Smajlović! That's all they know. That's why we are in this state. They have brought the most numerous people in Zenica and BiH to ruin and made them poor. They have channeled all financial flows to Herzegovina at higher levels, and handed Zenica over to Sarajevo and Kakanj. As the new mayor, I will return millions to Zenica that they give to Sarajevo just so they can get their positions. I have a program that they cannot and do not know how to conceive of, and which they cannot implement.

PATRIA: Are the people in Zenica aware of how much good your actions can bring to the local community?
KASUMOVIĆ: In addition to increasing incentives for agriculture and livestock farming, and building infrastructure, I am ready with my team to ensure that every settlement has a clinic and free internet. I plan to finance sports and culture by introducing a tax on betting shops, and to renovate community centers where residents of all generations will gather. I know how to implement the e-Kiosk project, where citizens can automatically obtain personal documents without queues. I also plan to introduce a "Citizen's Day" – Wednesday will be the day when I will talk with citizens, listen to their problems, and make myself available to solve them if possible. All these are ideas that I will implement and with which I will show how a local community can be managed more effectively, fairly, and transparently.

PATRIA: You have announced a shake-up in the Zenica administration. Parties have become a kind of public enterprise, real employment agencies. People seem unaware of the significance of this billion-dollar IMF loan. A complete overhaul of public administration and administrative burdens in your Zenica as well.

KASUMOVIĆ: I have already spoken about the disastrous consequences of tying party-loyal structures to the state payroll. And in a family arrangement. However, the fact that this does not stop, despite my public warnings, is best illustrated by the example of the Zenica Public Utility Company "Grijanje" (Heating). Although the Public Utility Company "Grijanje" is in total financial debt and on the verge of closure twenty days before the start of the heating season, on the orders of the president of SDA Zenica, Bakir Izetbegović's idea of opening "100,000 new jobs" is being implemented in practice.

Thus, the director of JP "Grijanje," on the orders of his party boss, extends the employment contract of a manager with a VKV (highly skilled worker) qualification, who has met the conditions for full retirement. According to information and a letter from a group of dissatisfied employees of JP "Grijanje," in this company, which is paid for by the citizens of Zenica, especially pensioners, cronies and members of the SDA Zenica Executive Board are being employed by giving them positions as foremen and heads of departments, even though they do not have the qualifications for these jobs.

According to the employees who approached me for help, recently, all younger employees with university degrees who had fixed-term contracts were dismissed because they are not SDA members. I have publicly called on the Cantonal Labor Inspectorate of ZDK to conduct a review of the job systematization and the veracity of this information. I believe that the fight against such arbitrariness and attempts to establish feudalism in the 21st century in the heart of Europe is unacceptable and must be stopped.

Another example is the Public Utility Company "Vodovod i kanalizacija" (Water Supply and Sewerage), where the director, who earns over 4,000 KM, receives a 150,000 KM bonus for successful company management from the president of the Supervisory Board, who is his party secretary. The situation at ALBA is even worse. This means they have destroyed everything, and everything exists only for a few families.

PATRIA: You have been a resident of Zenica for 25 years and have proven yourself through work and ability. Zenica is somewhat tough for outsiders, so it's a miracle that you have been leading in election polls for a long time. What are the reasons? Many say you win people over with your completely honest views and by always speaking your mind.

KASUMOVIĆ: When meeting with citizens at promotional rallies, I always tell people that if they are doing well, they shouldn't change anything. I was born in Gornji Vakuf and awarded the Golden Lily for my wartime merits. I love Zenica, and it welcomed me with open arms. But I see and know that the citizens are unhappy. I see that the employment bureaus are full of unemployed people, and only party loyalists get jobs. I have been talking about this publicly for a long time, and that's why citizens trust me, because, as you say, I speak my mind.

I was the first to publicly speak out about the radical provocations by hodža Mevludin Dizdarević, for example. From his position as an imam, he gave political lectures and slandered me, and then his party's bulletin Stav published an interview with him spanning several pages to clear his name... This is a secular state; we are not a theocracy. At least we must not become one.

I have no intention of interfering in religious matters or assessing radicalization from that side because Zenica has two competent leaders who care for religious life: the respected mufti of Zenica, Ejub ef. Dautović, and the chief imam, Jakub ef. Salkica. I commend them. I will continue to speak publicly and transparently and point out all the problems burdening Zenica, as well as our country as a whole.

Experts over Cronies

PATRIA: It is a fact that parties offer everything, except they do not allow experts to hold positions in power. You said that this will be the key to your fight. This has led to a tragedy in development and employment everywhere, including your Zenica. Whoever overcomes party cronyism will set an example that Bosnia and Herzegovina can be the best place to live.

KASUMOVIĆ: Experts over cronies. But this must come from the people who make decisions. That is why Zenica will be the center from which a more transparent and fairer administration will begin. Look, people who do not have the support of the people, and are known as thieves at party congresses, cannot lead the country. For example, how can Amir Zukić lead the party and the country when he is currently under investigation for selling jobs at Elektroprivreda BiH... He cannot.

How can Halid Genjac manage Parliament and lead the SDA Main Board when he has never been elected by the people, but by the party leader? And such a principle extends all the way down to the position of a doorman. That is why the state is collapsing, and they are surviving by rigging internal party elections, stealing, as was seen at the last congress. There is a clip on YouTube titled "Argument at the SDA Congress," and Bakir Izetbegović has never distanced himself from it.

That is why democratization is needed, so that every candidate can monitor the regularity of elections, and then there will be no anger after the elections. If this were ensured, 80 percent of the people in the leadership of the party in Zenica, ZDK, and the SDA Central Committee could not sit there, and new people desired by the people and members would come to the fore and then move BiH forward.

Then such a system would be transferred to the entities, cantons, and local communities. That is why the democratization of the SDA is necessary. That is why I had to run as an independent candidate. And that is why, God willing, I will win.