Called a ‘gambling boss’, Anwar fires back: I cut special lottery draws from 22 to eight

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has responded to accusations that he is a "gambling boss" by stating that his administration has actually reduced the number of special lottery draws from 22 per year to eight. The Free Malaysia Today reported that Anwar, who serves as finance minister, made this claim during the launch of the Skim Usahawan Bangkit Permatang Pauh in Penanti.

Anwar emphasized that while the reduction might not be sufficient, he was being unjustly criticized. He urged those attacking him to first examine their own actions. The government had previously increased the number of special lottery draws from eight to 22 annually between 2020 and 2022, before the current reduction. Anwar's comments seemed to be a reaction to criticism from Kedah's Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

Sanusi had dismissed a bid by Kedah's government to overturn a ruling preventing them from renewing licenses for pool betting and lottery operators, which was aimed at effectively halting licensed gambling in the state. Sanusi claimed that the decision on gambling activities in Kedah now lay with Anwar and warned that the residents of Kedah would "curse" the prime minister if gambling activities were allowed to resume.