Malaysia’s Finance Ministry said the Madani government had not issued any new gambling licences or permits or increased the number of gambling premises, rejecting recent remarks by Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, head of government for the Malaysian state of Kedah.
The ministry described Sanusi’s remarks, recently reported by local media, as misleading, saying they could give the impression that the federal government was not controlling gambling activities or had approved new licences to increase the number of gambling premises in Kedah.
The ministry said the number of licences and permits currently in force remains based on existing approvals issued since the 1990s.
It also outlined changes in the frequency of special lottery draws under successive federal administrations. The Pakatan Harapan government in 2020 had decided to reduce the number of special draws to eight a year from 22.
Subsequently, the federal government under Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional in 2020 decided to restore the frequency of special draws to 22 times a year.
“After the Madani government took over the federal administration in late 2022, one of its first decisions was to reverse the increase and reduce the frequency of special draws from 22 to eight times a year, effective January 2023,” the ministry added.
“As a control measure, the Finance Ministry has also imposed strict conditions on licence holders.”
The ministry said the Madani government continued to take a firm and responsible approach by limiting licensed gambling activities, ensuring strict regulation and stepping up enforcement against unlicensed and online gambling.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/08/28/126129-malaysia-says-madani-government-issued-no-new-gambling-licences
