PAS leader to Anwar: It was Zafrul who approved 22 special draws

PAS is pulling up receipts to push back against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's taunts last week that the number of special lottery draws when the Islamist party was in government had risen to 22 from eight.

Kelantan PAS Youth chief Firdaus Nawi stated a simple fact: The party had opposed the special draw increase, while the one who approved it was then finance minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Anwar and his supporters had cited the 22 special draws to counter Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor’s warning to the premier that Kedahans would “curse” him if he did not help eradicate gambling from the state.

This return salvo could further damage Anwar's reputation in Perikatan Nasional states, given that Zafrul (above, left) is now a key member of his inner circle.

"You can disagree with PAS, you can criticise Sanusi and the state government, but don't change history to win a political argument," Firdaus was reported as saying by Harakah Daily yesterday.

Records show that among those who openly objected to the 22 special draws were Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, then Bachok MP Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, then PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khiruddin, and former PAS Ulama wing chief Mahfodz Mohamad.

Kedah's experiment with banning gambling outlets was foiled after the Court of Appeal held that the regulation of gambling and lotteries falls exclusively under the Finance Ministry. The Federal Court then rejected leave for appeal.

Following this, Sanusi said the ball is now in Anwar's court as finance minister, urging him to cancel gambling outlet licences.

Anwar and his team's retort thus far has centred on the 22 special draws, which the premier lowered to eight after coming to office.

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