President Tokayev warns “opinion leaders” not to rock the boat

President Kasymzhomart Tokayev on Tuesday pledged firm action against any attempts to stir internal instability.

At the same time, he pledged to continue reforms and said that there will be no going back to “the old methods”.

Tokayev said that “the increasing political and economic turbulence” in the world raises the importance of maintaining internal law and order.

“The state will firmly conduct a policy of intolerance towards any expression of radicalism, extremism, legal nihilism and everyday vandalism,” he said at a ceremony dedicated to Republic Day, which marks the adoption of the declaration of Kazakhstan’s sovereignty on 25 October 1990.

“Aggression and rhetoric of hatred, trampling on public norms, calls for violence and actions aimed at insulting citizens’ dignity must have no place in our society,” Tokayev said.

“We shall harshly act on any words and actions that go against the law, divide people and undermine our country’s stability. Crossing this line equals being against the state and society.

“All citizens, especially public figures and so-called ‘opinion leaders’ must understand this well.”

Tokayev said that the reforms conducted in the country the past two years “have considerably changed our people’s political mentality, and, I am sure, they will not allow a return to the old methods of government”.

“The outcome of the reforms is irreversible. Undoubtedly, they will be continued and will completely change our country,” he said.

He added that “while carrying out reforms, we must first of all think about the importance of ensuring internal political stability”.

“Otherwise, Kazakhstan’s statehood might face fatal dangers, which could have gravest consequences for our nation,” he said.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has increased tensions around the continued use of the Russian language in the country, and relations with Russia in general. It has given a new impetus to the ongoing process of rethinking the suppression that Kazakhs suffered under the Russian rule.

The escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict might trigger reactions within the country’s Muslim community.

Tokayev on Tuesday also repeated his stance on his predecessor Nursultan Nazarbayev, that the latter’s role in the country’s history must be recognized.

“We must firmly adhere to the principle of historic justice,” Tokayev said, adding that Nazarbayev has made “a huge contribution” to strengthening Kazakhstan as an independent state.

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