KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Home Minister II Datuk Jonathan Yasin (Ranau-PN) today was taken to task as he appeared to avoid questions on special draws for 4D numbers, instead passing the buck entirely to the Finance Ministry.
The Bersatu lawmaker was initially elaborating on the government’s efforts to eradicate illegal gambling in the country, when he was quizzed about the controversial decision to increase special draws to 22 days.
Specifically, Cha Kee Chin (Rasah-PH) asked if the decision to increase the number of draws is because the government wants to recoup the losses it incurred during the movement control order when the gaming industry was not allowed to operate.
To this, Jonathan said: “Regarding the increase to 22 draws, I think this question is best posed to the Finance Ministry, and not the Home Ministry.”
Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PAS) then asked if the deputy ministry agrees with him that increasing the number of special draws will not address the issue of online gambling, as commonly believed.
Jonathan again responded, repeating that the question is best answered by the Finance Ministry.
Unimpressed by his response, Fadhli pointed out that his question was specifically on the aspect of illegal gambling, and had nothing to do with the Finance Ministry.
The deputy minister then said: “Personally, whether (the increase in special draws) has caused a spike or decrease in illegal gambling, we need further studies on this.”
As Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun tried to move on from the questions on gambling, several MPs could be heard criticising Jonathan for the manner in which he answered the queries posed to him.
“What is this, a deputy minister replying like this? No standards at all,” Cha said over the microphone.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar-Independent) said: “Ridiculous”.
Later during the proceedings, Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (Kuala Langat-PH) took a dig at Jonathan when posing a question to another minister.
“The MPs and rakyat are hoping for the ministers and deputy ministers to be brave enough to answer questions, not only specifically relating to their ministries, but on the cabinet’s policies.
“Just like the question on gambling earlier. I saw a deputy minister not brave enough to give his clear take on it,” said the Amanah lawmaker.
Under the previous Barisan Nasional government, 22 special draws for 4D numbers were allowed each year, but after Pakatan Harapan took federal power in May 2018, it reduced the draws to eight and 11 respectively in 2018 and 2019.
However, it was reported last month that the government has given gaming companies permission to again hold 22 special draws, on top of the usual thrice-weekly draws, causing various quarters to condemn the decision. – The Vibes, October 4, 2021
