By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, Nov 3 — The Federal government's consideration to ban online gaming platforms Roblox and UMI amid rising concerns over their negative content is appropriate under the circumstances, says state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
It is time to take swift action to restrict online games that encourage violence, he said.
"I strongly support the move. We've reached a point where the government must act with firmness and ban any online games that expose our children and youths to negative elements, like Roblox.
"And we should not just talk about Roblox. There are so many other online games that are extremely violent and can adversely affect young minds," he told Media Selangor.
Recently, Najwan said that the state government would be having a meeting with e-sports groups about the issue of violence in video games.
He has called on the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) and the Digital Ministry to conduct checks to identify which are the violent games that can be easily downloaded onto devices.
Najwan also reminded parents to be more aware of what their children are doing online, and to be more strict around rules.
This comes in the wake of a case in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, where a six-year-old boy was slashed in the neck and stabbed, allegedly by his brother, who was an avid Roblox player.
The child's parents, both in their 40s, are now in police custody.
On Saturday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the government is weighing the possibility of banning Roblox and UMI amid rising concerns they could negatively influence young people.
The matter is still at the discussion level, she said, adding that Australia's recent decision to implement regulations around Roblox by December will be used as a reference point.
