Newly elected convener of the Finance Committee Chu Hsing-yu (朱星羽), expressing concern over social morals, put forward a proposal to the Ministry of Finance yesterday to decrease Public Welfare Lottery drawings from twice a week to once a week.
The proposed measure, presented at the legislature's first committee meeting since the Dec. 1 elections, would come into effect with the first lottery drawing after March 15.
The move was immediately signed by the other 14 committee members, including six members from DPP, three from the KMT, four from the PFP and one independent.
The committee also moved to invite Minister of Finance Lee Yung-san (李庸三) to report on lottery-related matters on Monday.
DPP caucus convener Ker Chien-ming (
KMT legislative caucus whip Lin Yi-shih (
PFP legislative caucus convener Diane Lee (李慶安) said that the issue does not have to be elevated to the level of caucus policy and that the Finance Committee has the power to put forward any proposal it deems necessary.
High-level officials in the finance ministry were taken by surprise by the unexpected proposal and said that even though lottery sales had surpassed expectations during the New Year holiday, they had already calmed down. The officials added that they wanted to see how the situation develops before making a decision.
Finance officials said that they have already asked TaipeiBank (台北銀行) to provide a review and response plan on how to ease gambling fever. Once the bank has submitted its suggestions for amendments, the ministry will make a decision on the matter.
TaipeiBank says that it will abide by any call from the Ministry of Finance to decrease the frequency of draws, but added that the situation may get even more out of hand since the jackpot may become even bigger.
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