At the meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh on March 18, deputy Erulan Kokulov, a former journalist, once again became the center of attention due to his emotional speech. He criticized former colleagues in the profession, accusing them of creating an "information mafia." According to Kokulov, the media has lost its objectivity, and his image is distorted in materials that are edited with the aim of discrediting him. He also claims that positive publications appear only on request.
This time, the reason for his outrage was reports about his inspections of pharmacies and a conflict with the patrol police, during which he was fined 300 soms for improper parking. Kokulov believes that journalists distort facts— for example, his appeal to the president was presented as a complaint, and he referred to the inspectors of the patrol police as part of the "journalistic mafia." The deputy even threatened to reveal the names of corrupt officials with whom, according to him, media figures spend time and for whose services they receive money.
Nevertheless, Kokulov's emotional speech did not produce the expected effect. His colleagues seem to be tired of the deputy's constant personal conflicts. Akylbek Tumonbaev pointed out that the residents of the Ton and Jeti-Oguz districts expect Kokulov to address important issues such as water supply and education, rather than recounting disputes with the police. Deputy Elvira Surabaldiyeva also supported this viewpoint, reminding that the podium of the Jogorku Kenesh is not intended for discussing personal grievances— it is rather a place for serious issues that should be resolved through social networks or podcasts.
Previously, the president had already called on deputies to avoid disgraceful situations and not to raise petty domestic problems at the level of state power. As a result, the parliamentary leadership decided to introduce strict regulations for speeches. Speaker Marlen Mamataliyev announced the necessity of prior coordination of topics with faction leaders. It seems that using the podium for personal purposes is becoming increasingly difficult, as Kokulov's constant complaints have begun to irritate even his most loyal allies.
