KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 28 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hit back at critics branding him a "tauke judi", or gambling boss, saying his government had instead cut the number of special lottery draws from 22 a year to eight.

Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported that Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the reduction showed his administration had taken steps to curb gaming activities.

"You held 22 special draws, but I reduced it to eight. Is it enough? No. But why am I being insulted for this?

"Before you attack me, you should look at yourself in the mirror first," he said at the launch of the Skim Usahawan Bangkit Permatang Pauh in Penanti today.

The number of special lottery draws had been increased from eight to 22 a ye...