RM1 billion special draw profit goes to social projects

The government revealed today that the profit garnered from the special draws operated by various gaming companies is spent on various social programmes including healthcare and welfare.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also the finance minister, in a written reply said the profit gained from the special draws since 10 years ago was more than RM1 billion.

He was replying to a question by Bukit Bendera DAP MP Liew Chin Tong who wanted to know what the money was spent on.

From the total amount, undefined social programmes received the most —RM361million or 32 per cent from the total profit.

The sports sector receive the second highest amount, getting close to RM330 million, while RM268 million went to welfare programmes and healthcare received RM146 million.

Opposition leaders are claiming that the amount spent on each sectors particularly sports, welfare and health-care is not reflected as these sectors have yet to see significant improvements.

Complaints of inefficiency are still pervasive when it comes to healthcare while hardcore poverty remains high.

As for sports, the sector that received the most, the deteriorating quality in domestic and regional sports events has not justified such spending.

The Malaysian Insider
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