Timur Kulibaev, the son-in-law of the first president, is considering selling shares of Halyk Bank, while the comparison between Agatha Christie and Kemei Tokayev sparks interest. Additionally, the polygamist admits his mistakes, and the discussion of Abai calls his greatness into question — all these topics are covered in the new review of the Kazakh-language press.
Comparison of Agatha Christie and Kemei Tokayev
The portal Abai.kz publishes a comparison of two famous authors: Agatha Christie and Kazakh writer Kemei Tokayev, the father of the current president.
In the article, journalist Beisengazy Ulykbek notes that both writers hold a prominent place in the detective genre: “Agatha Christie is a symbol whose books have been translated into more than 100 languages and remain popular worldwide.” According to him, Kemei Tokayev became the first Kazakh author to open new horizons for detective literature with a distinctly national flavor.
In the author's opinion, both writers strive to understand the human soul, but do so through different lenses: one through Western logic, the other through Eastern philosophy. However, despite all of Christie's merits, it should be noted that Kazakh readers are not as familiar with Tokayev's work, which calls the comparison itself into question.
Errors of the Polygamist
Renowned scholar Omar Zhalel, who previously advocated for polygamy, admitted that he chose the wrong path by taking a third wife. He claims that he has not seen a single happy man with multiple wives and believes that polygamy has become merely a fashionable pastime.
“If offspring are needed, they can be had from one woman. In the past, polygamy was a necessity, but now it is just a desire or bragging,” he noted on his Facebook page.
Producer Bayan Alaguzova proposed an alternative approach by suggesting the legalization of polyandry, which added new shades to the discussion about family relationships in Kazakhstan.
Abai and His Legacy
Orientalist Sharafat Zhilkybaeva on Sadaq.kz expresses doubt about Abai's greatness, claiming that his fame is based on advertising and does not correspond to real merits. According to her, one cannot consider a man great who belittled his own people.
Zhilkybaeva emphasizes that many talented Kazakh poets remain unnoticed, while Abai was a convenient figure for the Soviet authorities. She believes that his work creates a false impression of Kazakhs as a wild people.
This approach to Abai's figure may provoke criticism from society, highlighting the complexity of discussing his legacy.
Sale of Halyk Bank Shares
The ALMEX Group may put at least 10% of Halyk Bank shares up for sale, according to information from Nege.kz. Timur and Dinara Kulibaev have registered a new company, which may indicate their intention to sell part of their stake.
Currently, they own 69.48% of the shares, and selling 10% could bring them about 373.2 billion tenge; however, such a price may not satisfy the seller. There are rumors that the Kulibaevs want to make Halyk more attractive to international investors.
Halyk Bank's net profit for the first half of 2025 increased by 39.4% and may reach a record 1 trillion tenge for the year, underscoring the importance of asset protection for Kulibaev.
