4D numbers: Only eight special draws allowed from next year, says Anwar

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (centre) speaking to the press at the press conference room in Putrajaya. Also present was Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Only eight special draws for 4D numbers will be allowed annually from next year, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The move comes on his first day in office as the Finance Minister.

“I have decided to cancel a decision made earlier this year on the gambling draws during the Cabinet meeting.

“The earlier Cabinet consisting of members from PAS had increased the draws from eight to 22, so today, I have directed them to go back to eight draws,” he said.

Anwar hit out at the Perikatan Nasional coalition about the 22 draws “acceptable” during their time.

“On the issue of gambling, certainly this is partly used to finance elections. (I have asked for) checks on that.

“Whether you call yourself a Malay party or an Islamist party, notwithstanding, the (election) funds came from gaming companies,” he added.