Agency declines to disclose crime statistics - Akhmetjanov's Report
Fed Up with the Same Old Corruption Crimes in Kazakhstan
Addressing the audience during a forum for entrepreneurs, Marat Akhmetzhanov, the head of Kazakhstan's Anti-Corruption Agency, took a candid stand against the recurring corruption crimes that are plaguing the country. Reported by Total.kz, Akhmetzhanov spoke frankly about the ever-drolling list of embezzlements, unfinished construction projects, and high-profile arrests.
"Year after year, the same problems come back to haunt us. It's not just about arresting corrupt officials and releasing press statements. We need to tackle the underlying issues," Akhmetzhanov asserted.
To this end, the agency has renounced the use of indicators for the number of crimes and cases sent to court. Instead, their focus has shifted towards improving the system and removing barriers that facilitate bribery. Akhmetzhanov emphasized that this is in line with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's orders, who urged the agency to address not just the symptoms, but the root causes and conditions that foster corruption.
As for the "root causes," Akhmetzhanov pointed to systemic issues within public institutions marred by conflicts of interest, non-transparent and accountable public operations, and political influence over oversight institutions. Adding to this conundrum, limited judicial independence and restricted press freedoms have created an environment where corruption can flourish and oversight mechanisms can weaken.
"Our work should be people-oriented," Akhmetzhanov clarified, emphasizing that the feedback from society, businesses, and government agencies is of utmost importance in his mission to improve the system.
When it comes to the agency's priorities, protection of business remains at the top. To achieve this, the agency will focus on prevention, detection, and prosecution, adopting a systematic approach to eliminating corruption and fostering a culture of integrity.
"Prevention is more than just giving lectures and posting posters. It means eradicating corruption systematically," Akhmetzhanov concluded.
"The Anti-Corruption Agency, led by Marat Akhmetzhanov, has completed a shift in focus from crime numbers to system improvements, as per President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's orders. Akhmetzhanov highlighted that this is essential to address the root causes, such as systemic issues within public institutions and political influence, rather than merely dealing with symptoms. Furthermore, Akhmetzhanov emphasized the importance of a people-oriented approach, prioritizing feedback from society, businesses, and government agencies to eradicate corruption systematically."
"In the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice, this change in approach to corruption in Kazakhstan is a significant step, aiming to foster a culture of integrity and protect businesses."
