Minister Responds to Criticism Following Senate Briefing

Kazakhstan’s Minister of National Economy, Serik Zhumangarin, addressed recent media criticism regarding his conduct during a June 23 Senate briefing, Orda.kz reports.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Majilis, Zhumangarin made comments referencing the names of media outlets Orda.kz and BES.media, drawing a literary comparison to Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Demons (Besy):

What is the name of your media outlet? Bes. Bes, (Demon - Ed.) right? Your name is so interesting. It's probably based on a novel, right? By Fyodor Mikhailovich, right? You write, or ‘The Horde (Orda - Ed.).’ Demons have taken over ‘The Horde.’” he joked.

His comments follow reports about his early exit from the June 23 briefing, during which he declined to respond to a question from a BES.media journalist about a company allegedly avoiding over 200 billion tenge in taxes through the AIFC. Zhumangarin turned off the microphone and left.

Reacting to the coverage, the Minister said he believed the sequence of events had been misrepresented:

Write: ‘Zhumangarin closed the briefing early.’ Who else? I closed the briefing, you asked to ask an additional question. Correct? After I closed the briefing. Why haven't you written about this? And you ask me the same question that two speakers asked before you. 

Earlier, Karlygash Dzhamankulova, head of the Adil Soz Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech,  commented on the situation. She criticized Zhumangarin’s response and emphasized that public officials are expected to maintain openness and politeness in line with the Ethical Code of Civil Servants.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov