KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Amendments to the Sports Development Act 1997, including provisions on sports integrity, are expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next year.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the ministry (KBS) is holding roundtable discussions with stakeholders to make the act more effective and to strengthen the powers of the Sports Commissioner and the minister.
“We expect amendments to the Sports Development Act; our target is to table it next year so that we can close all the existing loopholes,” she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Yeoh was replying to Padang Terap MP Nurul Amin Hamid's supplementary query on whether the ministry planned to enhance the legal powers under the Sports Development Act 1997 to curb the risk of fraud and corruption in the country’s e-sports scene.
She added that KBS also regularly engages with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate corruption in sports.
Replying to Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias' supplementary query on whether KBS allowed e-sports-related programmes to be promoted at primary and secondary schools, Yeoh said the ministry adopts a conservative policy of not actively promoting e-sports in schools.
“For athletes representing Malaysia, the ministry will definitely provide support. However, as for the promotion of e-sports at the school level, the ministry’s policy remains conservative. For now, gadget addiction and excessive use among students remain a concern.
“Parental control and guidance are extremely crucial so that interest in e-sports can be managed in a balanced manner. So far, there has been no active promotion of e-sports by either the KBS or the Education Ministry (MOE) in schools,” she said.
However, several engagement sessions have been held with the MOE through the Sports, Co-Curricular and Arts Division, during which the MOE prepared a proposal paper and draft guidelines for the implementation of e-sports in schools.
“Starting next year, the MOE will evaluate and provide support for the organisation of e-sports competitions by external agencies involving students for the purpose of recognising Physical Activity, Sports and Co-Curricular Assessment scores.
“This support will only be given to organisers who use game titles that have been approved based on the list issued by the game title assessment committee,” Yeoh said.
The committee also includes the Health Ministry's (MOH) Counselling Psychology unit to ensure that each game title and its content are appropriate for the educational context and do not affect students' well-being.
“The KBS, through the National Sports Council and Impact, have provided input, including submitting the National Esports Development Guidelines (NESDEG) as the main reference document for the draft e-sports guidelines by the MOE.
“The KBS and MOE will continue discussions to support the growth of e-sports while ensuring students’ interests are safeguarded. Do not worry; we will ensure that student participation is well protected,” she said.
