The number of special forecast number draws was raised to 22 times a year during the previous Malaysian administration as a collective decision by the Cabinet, including participation from PAS ministers at the time, according to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, former Finance Minister and now Senior Political Adviser to the Prime Minister [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Special forecast draws were first introduced in 1999 under the Barisan Nasional administration, which also established the ceiling of 22 draws annually [1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5]. Before Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul’s appointment, this ceiling was already in place.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the previous government reverted to this 22-draw yearly limit, officially informing Parliament of the move [1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5]. In 2019, Malaysia held 11 special draws but reduced them to 8 times a year under the Pakatan Harapan government in 2020 before increasing again amid the pandemic [6].
After the new administration led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took office in December 2022, the number of special draws was reduced from 22 down to 8 times a year starting in 2023 [1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5]. Prime Minister Anwar confirmed, “I have reduced the number of special draws from 22 times per year to 8 times a year after taking office” [6].
Tengku Zafrul denied personal responsibility for the increase during the prior administration, emphasizing it was a collective Cabinet decision. He said, “During the pandemic (Covid-19), the government at that time returned to that existing ceiling (22 times), and this matter was also informed to Parliament through an official reply. Importantly, under today's Madani government, the special draws have been reduced to just eight times a year” [1]. He added the new government’s focus “is to solve the people’s problems and ensure that every policy genuinely benefits them” [2].
The issue of special forecast draws has remained contentious. The Federal Court recently rejected an attempt by the Kedah state government to overturn rulings related to gambling and lottery licensing, keeping the topic in the spotlight [6]. Kedah State Menteri Besar Mohamad Sanusi warned if gambling resumes in Kedah, “the people of Kedah will ‘curse’ Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim” [6]. He stated that the final decision on gambling activities in Kedah rests with the Prime Minister [6].
Today’s clarification from Tengku Zafrul reinforces that the increase to 22 draws was not an individual decision but agreed by the entire Cabinet including PAS ministers at the time [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The Madani government has since taken steps to reduce the frequency to 8 draws annually, effective from 2023 [1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5].
