Control Department of the Presidential Administration. In 1998, he became the First Assistant to the President. On 18 February 1999, Tasmagambetov was appointed as the akim of Atyrau Region and from 17 December 2000, he served as the Deputy Prime Minister in the 4th government. Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (2002–2003) On 28 January 2002, Tasmagambetov was nominated as the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who was unanimously approved by the Parliament. While serving as the PM, he faced controversy over the issue privatization of land that was supposedly favor the wealthy. Tasmagambetov announced his resignation on 11 June 2003, stating that the parliamentary vote of no confidence that took place on 19 May 2003 was falsified. As a result, he was appointed as the State Secretary of Kazakhstan on 13 June 2003. Post-Premiership He served that position until he was dismissed on 9 March 2004. The following day on 10 March, Tasmagambetov was appointed as the head of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan and was removed from the post on 7 December 2004. Äkim of Almaty (2004–2008) On 8 December 2004, Tasmagambetov became the äkim of Almaty. Under his tenure, a first recycling waste plant was opened in the country. 2.5 million square meters of housing were built (18,202 apartments). Five schools and outbuildings were opened, two kindergartens were commissioned, and three health facilities were built. Restoration work was carried out on 33 monuments of history and culture. Äkim of Astana (2008–2014) From 4 April 2008, he served as the akim of Astana. While holding that post, Tasmagambetov was chosen to be the chairman of the Astana City Branch of Nur Otan on 19 May 2008. Astana became the first place in the provision of housing to the population. The number of problem sites was reduced from 243 to two. In 2012–2013, two hospitals and two polyclinics were commissioned. The opera and ballet theater Astana Opera and the Palace of Schoolchildren were built, while the construction of the cathedral mosque Hazrat Sultan Mosque began. A locomotive plant, a plant for the production of reinforced concrete products, pipes made of polymer materials, and helicopter plant were commissioned and put into operation. Defense and Deputy Minister (2014–2017) From 22 October 2014 to 12 September 2016, Tasmagambetov served as a Minister of Defense under Massimov. The following day on 13 September, he was appointed as a Deputy Prime Minister again