Akpınar: Security Can Be Politicised, But Not Used For Perception Management

Akpınar also described CTP leader Sıla Usar İncirli’s reference to government partners as “accomplices” as “unfortunate, politically discourteous and unacceptable.”

“SECURITY CAN BE POLITICISED, BUT NOT USED FOR PERCEPTION MANAGEMENT”

Akpınar said security could be debated politically, shortcomings could be criticised and the government could be held accountable. However, he said he did not consider it appropriate to manage public perceptions through crime, fear and social anxiety.

He argued that the picture presented in the Republican Assembly was less a constructive political initiative aimed at improving public security than a political show designed to amplify perceptions of fear and chaos among the public.

“Who does portraying the TRNC as an unsafe country serve?” Akpınar asked.

“EVEN A SINGLE CRIME MATTERS TO US”

Akpınar said the TRNC was among the safer countries in its region, while stressing the need to tackle crime, drugs, prostitution and human trafficking, money laundering and the informal economy.

“Even a single crime matters to us,” Akpınar said, adding that security problems should not be downplayed. However, he argued that isolated incidents or crimes involving specific groups should not be presented as a constant security threat affecting society as a whole.

“THE CLIMATE OF FEAR WILL HAVE A COST FOR THE COUNTRY”

Akpınar said portraying the country as unsafe by exaggerating criminal incidents would have negative consequences for tourism, higher education, investment, real estate, construction, businesses, workers and the private sector.

He said the opposition’s role was not only to highlight problems but also to contribute to their solutions, adding that constantly producing disaster scenarios and damaging the country’s international image did not constitute responsible opposition.

“WE STAND WITH THE POLICE AND ARE AWARE OF THE SHORTCOMINGS”

Akpınar said the Interior Ministry and Police Organisation were continuing their work on security with dedication.

He added that efforts were underway to strengthen personnel capacity, technical infrastructure, technological capabilities, intelligence capacity and inspection mechanisms.

Akpınar said the Democratic Party did not ignore existing problems and continued to provide constructive support on security issues.

“CRIME HAS NO NATIONALITY”

Akpınar said caution was needed when drawing conclusions about society based on the proportion of foreign nationals in prisons.

“Crime has no nationality. A crime is committed by an individual, and the law rules on the basis of the individual,” Akpınar said, stressing that people should not be labelled potential criminals based on their passports.

He called for a modern, effective and technology-driven security screening system for entry, residence and work procedures.

“WE WANT A SAFER TRNC”

Akpınar said the Democratic Party did not support covering up any security problems and called for increased police personnel, stronger technical and technological infrastructure, and improved border and entry controls.

He also called for greater intelligence capacity in the fight against drugs and organised crime, stronger efforts against the informal economy and expanded international security cooperation, particularly with Turkey.

Akpınar said labelling government partners as “accomplices” went beyond the boundaries of democratic criticism and amounted to a serious political accusation.

He stressed that politics should be clean, principled and solution-oriented.

“We will never accept a political approach that is willing to see the country lose in order to win an election,” Akpınar said.