Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has acknowledged that the number of young Malaysians involved in online gambling activities is alarmingly high.
“Illegal online gambling involving youths… the numbers are quite high. But I don’t have the data with me right now,” she said during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session today.
Yeoh was responding to a supplementary question from Nurul Amin Hamid (PN–Padang Terap), who asked whether the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) plans to strengthen legal powers to curb the risks of fraud and manipulation in electronic sports (e-sports).
Addressing concerns that promoting e-sports in schools could contribute to gadget addiction among students, Yeoh said her ministry is taking a conservative approach.
“The issue of gadget addiction and excessive screen time among students remains a concern,” she said. “Parental guidance and supervision from home are crucial to ensure children’s interest in e-sports is managed in a balanced way. So far, neither KBS nor the Ministry of Education (KPM) has actively promoted e-sports in schools.”
Yeoh added that KBS has conducted engagement sessions with KPM’s Sports, Co-Curricular, and Arts Division.
Following these discussions, KBS has prepared a proposal paper and draft guidelines for implementing e-sports in schools.
“Starting next year, KPM will assess and provide support for e-sports events organized by external agencies involving students — for the purpose of awarding physical education, sports, and co-curricular assessment marks,” Yeoh said.
However, she stressed that support will only be granted to organizers who use approved game titles, based on a list endorsed by the Game Title Evaluation Committee.
“This committee also includes psychological and counselling units from the Ministry of Health (KKM) to evaluate each game and its content, ensuring they are appropriate for educational contexts and do not harm students’ well-being,” she added.
