Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin rebuked the Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov for disrespectful treatment of journalists.
According to Informburo.kz, in June, while answering questions from the media, the minister interrupted them, saying: "Hello, may I?". The journalists did not appreciate this manner of address. Saparov later noted that he was not speaking to them, but to his subordinates.
Zhumangarin reported that he spoke with the minister after this incident and told him "it is better not to do that".
However, today at a government briefing the situation repeated itself. A journalist wanted to add a clarification during Saparov's speech, and the official raised his voice.
In turn, Zhumangarin noted that the media representatives have nothing to take offence at.
"Honestly, I did not notice any aggression on his part. He simply wanted to buy himself some time to answer your question. It seemed to you that he was shouting? It did not seem so to me," said Zhumangarin.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the Ministry of Agriculture has one of the most difficult jobs. According to him, Saparov is, in fact, "a very amiable person".