Tokayev made a statement after detentions in Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ
Tengrinews.kz — During an operational meeting of the Security Council, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued a statement regarding the detention of senior executives at Samruk-Kazyna JSC and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) JSC, citing Akorda.
"Yesterday, Kazakhstan's media reported the detention of leaders from the Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. This is an extremely serious signal of large-scale corruption within state-owned companies. By law, investigative details cannot be announced or disclosed, especially since the investigation has only just begun. However, it is already clear that this is the first major corruption case involving state companies within a unified system since the unveiling of the 'Law and Order' concept and its inclusion in the Constitution as a fundamental principle of public administration and social life," the President stated.
The Head of State recalled that the Constitution was adopted almost unanimously during a national referendum on March 15, entered into force on July 1, and has rightfully earned the title of the 'People's Constitution.'
"No one is permitted to violate or even mock this, one might say, sacred document," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.
The President declared that all reports of potential corruption among officials at various levels will henceforth be promptly and thoroughly investigated. In the first 10 months of this year alone, 751 corruption offenses were registered. Of these, 546 were committed by civil servants, while another 205 involved other individuals, including employees of the quasi-public sector.
"As these statistics show, the corruption situation remains challenging, but we do not intend to hide anything from the public or bury our heads in the sand like an ostrich. (...) There will be no division into 'ours,' 'not quite ours,' and certainly not 'outsiders.' Our Constitution has established the principle of equality for all citizens before the Law," noted the Head of State.
Tokayev instructed the government and oversight bodies to prepare concrete proposals by November 24 aimed at reducing corruption offenses.
The President emphasized that high office carries special responsibility. According to him, no one should expect leniency based on their position, past achievements, or family ties.
Tokayev also announced that several agreements and contracts have already been reviewed, as their initial signing was found to be erroneous. At the same time, he assured that the operations of the Samruk-Kazyna Fund and state companies, including Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, continue as normal.
Furthermore, the President deems it necessary to verify the quality of facilities built using assets recovered by the state. In his view, there are grounds to examine how effectively these works were executed.
"The corrupt community are our enemies, and they are already hatching plans to discredit and undermine the 'People's Construction' initiative. We will certainly not allow this. All social infrastructure projects—including roads, airports, clinics, rehabilitation centers, community centers, schools, and sports facilities—must be built to high standards. And they will be. A special State Commission will ensure the proper expenditure of public funds. Its composition will be published early next week," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed.
Earlier, it was reported that on November 13, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev would chair an operational meeting of the Security Council regarding the development of the transport and logistics sector.
Detentions at Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ
On November 12, the National Security Committee officially confirmed that the Anti-Corruption Service had detained Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna,, Elzhas Otynshiyev, head of KTZ,and several other individuals.
The NSC reported that the detainees are suspected of committing a corruption-related crime. Investigative actions are currently underway to establish all the circumstances of the case. The agency is not disclosing further information regarding the pre-trial investigation, citing Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Notably, KTZ Chairman Elzhas Otynshiev was detained less than four months after his appointment as head of the national company.
On November 12, videos also circulated on social media showing dollar bills scattered near a residential complex on Kunayev Street in Astana. The footage shows entire stacks of banknotes.
Social media posts suggest that this money may be linked to the case involving the detention of the Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ executives. Additionally, a version is circulating that bags and suitcases filled with money were allegedly thrown out of an apartment window by the spouse of one of the detainees during a search. however, there has been no official confirmation of this information or any link between the bills found on the street and the investigation.
Footage has also appeared online purportedly showing the detention of the heads of Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ.
"Yesterday, Kazakhstan's media reported the detention of leaders from the Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. This is an extremely serious signal of large-scale corruption within state-owned companies. By law, investigative details cannot be announced or disclosed, especially since the investigation has only just begun. However, it is already clear that this is the first major corruption case involving state companies within a unified system since the unveiling of the 'Law and Order' concept and its inclusion in the Constitution as a fundamental principle of public administration and social life," the President stated.
The Head of State recalled that the Constitution was adopted almost unanimously during a national referendum on March 15, entered into force on July 1, and has rightfully earned the title of the 'People's Constitution.'
"No one is permitted to violate or even mock this, one might say, sacred document," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.
The President declared that all reports of potential corruption among officials at various levels will henceforth be promptly and thoroughly investigated. In the first 10 months of this year alone, 751 corruption offenses were registered. Of these, 546 were committed by civil servants, while another 205 involved other individuals, including employees of the quasi-public sector.
"As these statistics show, the corruption situation remains challenging, but we do not intend to hide anything from the public or bury our heads in the sand like an ostrich. (...) There will be no division into 'ours,' 'not quite ours,' and certainly not 'outsiders.' Our Constitution has established the principle of equality for all citizens before the Law," noted the Head of State.
Tokayev instructed the government and oversight bodies to prepare concrete proposals by November 24 aimed at reducing corruption offenses.
The President emphasized that high office carries special responsibility. According to him, no one should expect leniency based on their position, past achievements, or family ties.
Tokayev also announced that several agreements and contracts have already been reviewed, as their initial signing was found to be erroneous. At the same time, he assured that the operations of the Samruk-Kazyna Fund and state companies, including Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, continue as normal.
Furthermore, the President deems it necessary to verify the quality of facilities built using assets recovered by the state. In his view, there are grounds to examine how effectively these works were executed.
"The corrupt community are our enemies, and they are already hatching plans to discredit and undermine the 'People's Construction' initiative. We will certainly not allow this. All social infrastructure projects—including roads, airports, clinics, rehabilitation centers, community centers, schools, and sports facilities—must be built to high standards. And they will be. A special State Commission will ensure the proper expenditure of public funds. Its composition will be published early next week," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed.
Earlier, it was reported that on November 13, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev would chair an operational meeting of the Security Council regarding the development of the transport and logistics sector.
Detentions at Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ
On November 12, the National Security Committee officially confirmed that the Anti-Corruption Service had detained Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna,, Elzhas Otynshiyev, head of KTZ,and several other individuals.
The NSC reported that the detainees are suspected of committing a corruption-related crime. Investigative actions are currently underway to establish all the circumstances of the case. The agency is not disclosing further information regarding the pre-trial investigation, citing Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Notably, KTZ Chairman Elzhas Otynshiev was detained less than four months after his appointment as head of the national company.
On November 12, videos also circulated on social media showing dollar bills scattered near a residential complex on Kunayev Street in Astana. The footage shows entire stacks of banknotes.
Social media posts suggest that this money may be linked to the case involving the detention of the Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ executives. Additionally, a version is circulating that bags and suitcases filled with money were allegedly thrown out of an apartment window by the spouse of one of the detainees during a search. however, there has been no official confirmation of this information or any link between the bills found on the street and the investigation.
Footage has also appeared online purportedly showing the detention of the heads of Samruk-Kazyna and KTZ.