Syimyk Japikeev, who previously held the position of head of the Financial Police, criticized the work of the famous writer Chingiz Aitmatov in an interview with journalist Ernist Kiyazov. He stated that there is a lack of clear direction and spiritual foundation in Aitmatov's literature.
According to Japikeev, Aitmatov's works do not contain "hidaayat" (translated from Arabic as the right path) and do not contribute to the development of the reader. "Chingiz Aitmatov praised the Soviet Union. Even if a welder reads his books, he will not become a higher specialist, and a doctor will remain just a doctor. I am sure that his works do not provide 'hidaayat'," he noted. Japikeev added that he has not read the novel "Plakha," but believes that there is nothing deep or spiritual in it. "Movies with Bruce Lee inspire one to become like him. Similar feelings are evoked by the works of Rumi, Al-Biruni, and Jami," he emphasized.
Chingiz Aitmatov is known to be one of the most famous and widely read writers of modern times. His books have been translated into 157–176 languages, with total print runs amounting to tens of millions of copies.
Syimyk Japikeev is also remembered for taking the position of chairman of the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes on October 17, 2020, but was dismissed in March 2021 after the disbandment of this service. At the end of the same month, he was appointed prosecutor of the Issyk-Kul region, but resigned just a month later.
