The government has given gaming companies permission to hold 22 “special draws” for 4D numbers this year, on top of the usual thrice-weekly draws.

Speaking to Malaysiapost, Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria said he was confident the decision was not made by members of the PAS leadership who are in the Cabinet.

“I believe this approval was not made by PAS because PAS does not have full power in the government,” he was quoted as saying.

During his debate on the royal address yesterday, Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar questioned the PAS leadership’s stand after the government, through the finance ministry, increased the number of “special draws” for 4D numbers from eight to 22.

In a written reply to Mahfuz in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz confirmed that the government had approved all 22 applications for “special draws” this year.

Razman, who is also the chairman of Perak’s plantation, agriculture and food industries committee, said it was not appropriate for him to comment further as the issue involves the federal government.

“But if you ask me, gambling is not for Muslims,” he said.

“Right now, we PAS members and Muslims need to take care of ourselves, and the Muslim community in particular, so as not to do what is prohibited by Allah.

“Numbers betting is only for non-Muslims. We Muslims have halal and haram… so we Muslims take care of Muslims.”