Oljas Bektenov

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Abaiuly and the family name is Bektenov.
Oljas Bektenov
Олжас Бектенов
Bektenov in 2024
12th Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
Incumbent
Assumed office
6 February 2024
PresidentKassym-Jomart Tokayev
First DeputyRoman Sklyar
Preceded byÄlihan Smaiylov
Aqorda Chief of Staff
In office
3 April 2023 – 6 February 2024
PresidentKassym-Jomart Tokayev
First DeputyTimur Suleimenov
Preceded byMurat Nurtleu
Succeeded byAibek Dädebaev
Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency
In office
25 February 2022 – 3 April 2023
PresidentKassym-Jomart Tokayev
Preceded byMarat Ahmetjanov
Succeeded byAshat Jumağali
Personal details
Born (1980-12-13) 13 December 1980 (age 44)
Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union
NationalityKazakh
Political partyAmanat
Children3
Alma materKazakh State Law Academy

Oljas Abaiūly Bektenov (Kazakh: Олжас Абайұлы Бектенов [woɫˈʒɑs ɑˌbɑjʊˈɫɤ bʲekˈtʲenəf]; born 13 December 1980) is a Kazakh politician who has served as the prime minister of Kazakhstan since 2024.[1] Prior to his appointment as prime minister in February 2024, Bektenov held various positions, including deputy chairman of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption from 2018, and later as the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency from 2022 to 2023. He was appointed as the Head of the Administration of the President.

Early life and education

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Born in the city of Alma-Ata, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, now called Almaty, Bektenov graduated with honors from the Kazakh State Law Academy, now the KAZGUU University, in 2001, with a degree in jurisprudence.[2] He furthered his academic career by obtaining a candidate of sciences in law, focusing his dissertation on "Organizational and Legal Problems of Prevention of Administrative Delinquency of Minors in the Republic of Kazakhstan".[3]

Early career

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Throughout his career, Bektenov has held various leadership roles. He began his tenure as the chief specialist at the Department of Justice of Almaty from 2002 to 2005, before ultimately becoming an expert and then the chief expert of the legal department at the Office of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan from 2005 to 2006.[4]

In subsequent years, Bektenov played key roles within the Kazakh government. He served in the Presidential Administration under Nursultan Nazarbayev from 2006 to 2009, and was deputy chairman of the Committee for Registration Service and Legal Assistance at the Ministry of Justice from 2009 to 2012.[4]

In the years that followed, Bektenov was tasked with combating corruption in Kazakhstan. He served as the Head of Department at the central office of the Agency for Combating Economic and Corruption Crimes of Kazakhstan (Financial Police) from 2012 to 2014, then as Chief of Staff of the Astana City Akimat from July 2015,[5] and later as head of the Secretariat of the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration.[4]

Anti-Corruption Agency

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Bektenov as an Antikor official during a parliamentary meeting, February 2020

In recognition of his service and leadership, Bektenov was appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption on 1 June 2018.[6] He served in this role for a year, before being dismissed on 20 June 2019.[7] Shortly thereafter, Bektenov was transferred to the position of First Deputy Chairman, on 26 June 2019.[8]

As a First Deputy Chairman, Bektenov emphasized the importance of the role that the Head of Antikor could play in addressing the rights of entrepreneurs. He highlighted the importance of considering social issues within the region, and implementing effective measures to address them, stressing that the results should be beneficial for both citizens and entrepreneurs in the region.[9]

On 25 February 2022, Bektenov assumed the chairmanship of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan.[10] His appointment followed the January 2022 unrest, during which Antikor, under Bektenov's guidance, investigated the financial dealings of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev's relatives.[11] This led to the arrest of Nazarbayev's nephew, Kairat Satybaldy, for defrauding Kazakhtelecom and a railway services company,[12] and his son-in-law, Kairat Boranbayev, for corruption in the quasi-public sector.[13][14] Both received six-year prison sentences.[15][16]

Throughout Bektenov's leadership, Antikor pursued high-profile corruption cases, including that of Medet Qumarğaliev, the ex-General Director of Operator ÖKM LLP, who was accused of embezzling over 20 billion tenge by inflating vehicle recycling costs from 2016 to 2021.[17][18] Another case focused on Nurlan Masimov, cousin of former chairman of the National Security Committee and ex-PM Karim Masimov, who served as the former head of the Police Department of Pavlodar Region, with allegations of inefficient budget planning and use.[19] Additionally, a case concerning illegal car registrations by an organized criminal group within the state-owned enterprise Government for Citizens was uncovered, resulting in the illegal registration of 486 vehicles and the incurring financial damages, costing the state and its citizens approximately one billion tenge.[20][21]

In December 2022, Bektenov met with Charles Duchaine, the director of the French Anti-Corruption Agency [fr], in Paris, where they signed a memorandum of cooperation, aimed at preventing and combating corruption.[22][23]

Under Bektenov's leadership, significant changes in departmental leadership occurred due to corruption issues, with over 100 employees facing disciplinary action within Antikor, resulting in nine convictions.[24] Moreover, assets worth more than 650 billion tenge were recovered, which were reallocated for the building of kindergartens and schools in Kazakhstan.[24] External analyses of corruption risks in the quasi-public sector, such as Samruk-Kazyna and Kazakhstan Temir Joly, were conducted,[25][26] leading to the identification of violations and the initiation of criminal cases.[27] Bektenov also introduced the Corruption Risks Map, highlighting the most corrupt areas in the region for closer attention.[28][29] Furthermore, the Bizneske Jol project was launched, with the participation of 6,000 entrepreneurs, aimed at supporting businesses.[30][31] Moreover, Bektenov's tenure saw the adoption of the Law "On Illegal Enrichment," and the exclusion of the possibility of parole for convicts on serious corruption charges.[24]

Tokayev administration

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On 3 April 2023, Bektenov became the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.[32] From there, he focused on reducing bureaucracy and enhancing efficiency by restructuring the administration, which included merging parallel departments to eliminate redundancy, and introducing assistant positions to focus on key areas, such as economics, and foreign policy. The restructuring also involved eliminating deputy head positions, replacing them with the newly created roles of Assistant to the President. Additionally, Bektenov facilitated the government's ability to independently adopt and adjust socioeconomic concepts and regional development plans, reducing the need for constant approval from the executive branch.[33]

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan

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Main article: Bektenov Government
Oljas Bektenov and Vladimir Putin in Astana, 3 July 2024

After the resignation of the government, the ruling Amanat party backed Bektenov for the role of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan on 6 February 2024.[34] President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev nominated Bektenov's candidacy on behalf of the party to which his nomination was subsequently supported by the Mäjilis on the same day,[35] thus officially appointing him to lead the newly-formed government,[36][37][38][39] and therefore making Bektenov the first silovik to become prime minister in independent Kazakhstan's history.[40] Following the parliamentary approval, Bektenov, in an address to deputies, pledged to prioritize national businesses over foreign interests, especially in agriculture, while improving infrastructure and cutting unnecessary costs.[41]

Shortly upon assuming office, Bektenov, at the following cabinet meeting, proclaimed that his premiership would be a "government of decisive action" to enhance growth rates, diversify the economy, attract investment, and address challenges. He urged ministers to work independently and swiftly address industry issues at their level, stressing that the government's "pace of work will be high, and the demand will be tough".[42][43][44]

One of the first major challenges that the Bektenov Government faced were the 2024 Central Asian floods that broke out in 10 different Kazakh regions. This led to the appointment of Kanat Bozumbayev as deputy prime minister, and thus, his "return to politics".[45]

Personal life

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Bektenov is known to be married. He has three children,[46] but the names of his family members are unknown, which, as writer Vadim Boreiko remarks, is unusual, and shows how secretive officials under Tokayev are.[47]

Kazakh journalist Azamat Maitanov from Atyrau alleged that Bektenov came to power through nepotism, by claiming that he's the son-in-law of Adilbek Zhaksybekov. Activist Sanjar Boqaev, and writer Vadim Boreiko, remarked that there really are parallels between the careers of the two, but they did not find sufficient enough information to confirm, nor deny the accusation.[47]

References

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  1. ^ "Oljas Bektenov was appointed Prime Minister of Kazakhstan". Xalqqazeti.az. 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  2. ^ "Бектенов Олжас Абайұлы". BAQ.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  3. ^ Бектенов, О. А. (2005). "Организационно-правовые проблемы предупреждения административной деликтности несовершеннолетних в Республике Казахстан: автореферат диссертации на соискание ученой степени кандидата юридических наук: 12.00.02 / Бектенов Олжас Абаевич. - Алматы, 2005. - 31 с." e-catalog.nlb.by (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  4. ^ a b c "Олжас Бектенов ҚР Сыбайлас жемқорлыққа қарсы іс-қимыл агенттігінің төрағасы лауазымына тағайындалды". Kazinform (in Kazakh). 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  5. ^ Воронина, Ксения (2015-07-13). "Олжас Бектенов назначен руководителем аппарата акима Астаны". Kazakhstanskaya Pravda. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  6. ^ "Назарбаев назначил заместителя Шпекбаева". Tengrinews.kz (in Russian). 2018-06-01. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  7. ^ "МҚІжСЖҚА төрағасының орынбасары ауысты". KazTAG (in Kazakh). 2019-06-20. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  8. ^ "Олжас Бектенов назначен первым заместителем председателя Агентства по противодействию коррупции". Tengrinews.kz (in Russian). 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  9. ^ "Отбасы мен жемқорлық арасындағы байланыс қандай - Олжас Бектенов". Kazinform (in Kazakh). 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  10. ^ Шарипханова, Дина (2022-02-25). "Сыбайлас жемқорлыққа қарсы іс-қимыл агенттігінің жаңа төрағасы тағайындалды". Tengrinews.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  11. ^ Kumenov, Almaz (2024-02-06). "Kazakhstan: Tokayev appoints former anti-graft attack dog as PM". Eurasianet. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
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  15. ^ "Kazakh ex-leader's nephew sentenced to 6 years for embezzlement". Reuters. 2022-09-26. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  16. ^ "Kairat Boranbayev's prison term reduced to six years in prison". KazTAG. 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  17. ^ "Утилизация алымын жинаумен айналысқан компанияның бұрынғы директоры 20 млрд теңге жымқырды деген күдікке ілінді". Азаттық радиосы (in Kazakh). 2022-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  18. ^ ""ӨКМ Операторы" бұрынғы бас директорына қатысты сотқа дейінгі тергеу басталды". Tengrinews.kz (in Kazakh). 2022-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  19. ^ Шарипханова, Дина (2023-02-10). "Нұрлан Мәсімовке екі әкімшілік іс бойынша айыппұл салынды". Tengrinews.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  20. ^ "Шетелдік көліктерді заңсыз тіркейтін қылмыстық топ бюджетке 1 млрд теңгеге залал келтірген". Kazinform (in Kazakh). 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  21. ^ ""Шетелден әкелінген көліктерді заңсыз тіркеген": Астанада арнайы ХҚКО басшысы мен тағы бірнеше адам ұсталды". NUR.KZ (in Kazakh). 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
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  23. ^ "Қазақстан мен Францияның Сыбайлас жемқорлыққа қарсы ведомстволары бірлескен Меморандумға қол қойды". KazTAG (in Kazakh). 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
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  28. ^ "Карту коррупционных рисков для каждой области и города республиканского значения разработали в Казахстане - Аналитический интернет-журнал Власть". Vlast (in Russian). 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
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  33. ^ "Глава АП Олжас Бектенов: Президент в постоянном поиске талантливых людей". Tengrinews.kz (in Russian). 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  34. ^ "Amanat Тоқаевқа ҚР премьер-Министрі лауазымына Олжас Бектеновтың кандидатурасын ұсынды". dknews.kz (in Kazakh). 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
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  37. ^ Рахым, Ерік (2024-02-06). "Олжас Бектенов Премьер-министр лауазымына тағайындалды". Nege.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  38. ^ Бақберген, Ботакөз (2024-02-06). "Олжас Бектенов ҚР Премьер-министрі қызметіне тағайындалды". Egemen Qazaqstan (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  39. ^ Абибулла, Назерке (2024-02-06). "Олжас Бектенов премьер-министр болып тағайындалды". informburo.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  40. ^ Олжас Бектенов – первый силовик из 12 премьер-министров РК / Досым САТПАЕВ – ГИПЕРБОРЕЙ №394 on YouTube
  41. ^ Сатуов, Бекболат (2024-02-06). ""Әлеуметтік-экономикалық дамуға жаңа көзқараспен қарау қажет", - Президент". Astana TV (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  42. ^ Нақтыбай, Есімжан (2024-02-09). "Біз батыл әрекет ететін Үкімет боламыз – Олжас Бектенов". Kazinform (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-03-11.
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  44. ^ Аман, Торғын (2024-02-09). "Біз батыл әрекет ететін Үкімет боламыз – Олжас Бектенов". elorda.info (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  45. ^ Бутенко, Мими және Николаев, Виктор (2024-03-31). "Чем займется новый зампремьера Бозумбаев, рассказал Бектенов" (in Russian). nur.kz. Retrieved 2024-04-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ Сатбаева, Ару (2024-02-06). "Что известно о новом премьер-министре Олжасе Бектенове". tengrinews.kz (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  47. ^ a b Чей зять Олжас Бектенов? Токаев удвоит ВВП к 2029? Санжар БОКАЕВ – ГИПЕРБОРЕЙ №495. Интервью on YouTube
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