Chaos! This Petro Dollar Country Is Chaotic, Massive Demonstration

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The government of Kazakhstan decided to impose a state of emergency in the country on Wednesday (5/1/2022). This step was taken after a large-scale demonstration due to rising energy prices.

Massive protests were reported in the city of Almaty, the largest city in the oil-rich country. Police are also said to be trying to disperse the riots that broke out in the city on Tuesday night.

“President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed an order on the state of emergency in Almaty and the hydrocarbon-rich western region of Mangystau from January 5 to January 19,” the presidential website reported as obtained. AFP.

In addition, a curfew will be imposed in both regions from 23:00 to 7:00. Tokayev himself continued to call for the masses to maintain order and not be provoked.

“Do not bow to provocations from within and from without. Do not heed calls to attack government buildings. This is a crime for which you will be punished. The government will not be overthrown, but we do not need conflict,” Tokayev said.

Meanwhile, the current conditions in Almaty itself are reportedly still quite hot. Protesters chanted “parents get out” in reference to Tokayev’s predecessor and mentor, former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Massa also asked Tokayev to step down.

Messenger apps Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp were also temporarily blocked from the country. Not only social media, news agencies reporting on the demonstration incident were also blocked.

The initial cause of the riots this time began with the increase in LPG prices in the hydrocarbon-rich Mangystau area. The Tokayev government itself has tried to suppress the energy commodity but so far these efforts have failed to satisfy the people’s desires.

Kazakhstan has 20 billion oil reserves with a production rate of about 1.64 million barrels/day. This country ranks 19th in the world’s oil producer, as well as the largest producer in Central Asia.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

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