KUALA LUMPUR – The Youth and Sports Ministry is adopting a "conservative" stance towards the promotion of esports in schools, prioritising concerns over gadget addiction and youth well-being amidst a string of recent violent incidents involving teenagers.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh told the Dewan Rakyat today that while the government fully supports the development of esports as a professional industry and a potential economic powerhouse, its introduction at the school level must be handled with extreme caution.
Her statement comes against a grim backdrop of youth violence that has shaken the nation, including the brutal murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Petaling Jaya and a shocking gang rape case involving students in Baling, Kedah, last month.
While not referencing the cases directly, the minister acknowledged the delicate balance required in nurturing a digital-savvy generation without exposing them to the potential harms of the online world.
"For athletes representing Malaysia, the ministry will definitely provide support," Hannah said in her parliamentary reply to Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Haji Jalaluddin Haji Alias.
"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."
She stressed that at present, no active promotion of e-sports is being carried out by either her ministry or the Education Ministry (MOE) in schools.
This cautious approach has been informed by direct engagement with industry players over the welfare of young users.
Hannah revealed she had met with representatives from the popular online gaming platform Roblox Corporation on October 28 to discuss the safety of its young users, who number over one million in Malaysia alone.
The meeting was prompted by "several incidents that have occurred among youths, including young children recently," she said.
Hannah added that she had conveyed her concerns to Roblox, which gave its assurance to enhance safety through AI and human monitoring, and to cooperate with the Malaysian government.
Despite the necessary caution at the school level, the ministry is unequivocal about the economic potential of esports, framing it as "not just entertainment, but capable of being a new economic source for the country."
The industry is seen as a creator of new professional careers, including international-level players, coaches, team managers, professional commentators, and digital content creators, all of which contribute to the nation's digital economy.
However, beyond addiction, the ministry is also acutely aware of more sinister threats lurking within the online gaming world: corruption and illegal gambling.
"What is also important is the issue of illegal online gaming. The government loses a lot of revenue due to widespread online gambling," Hannah stated.
To tackle these multifaceted challenges head-on, the ministry is initiating a comprehensive review of the Sports Development Act 1997.
Hannah announced that round table discussions with stakeholders are underway to identify amendments that would grant more effective enforcement powers to the Sports Commissioner and the Minister. An amendment bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year.
This legislative reform will be complemented by close collaboration with law enforcement and regulatory bodies. Hannah confirmed that her ministry is in constant discussion with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding integrity issues in sports.
Crucially, the path forward for esports in schools will be charted jointly with the MOE. Hannah said several engagement sessions have already been held to draft guidelines for implementing esports activities safely.
Starting next year, the MOE will assess and support esports tournaments organised by external agencies for co-curricular credit, but only for game titles approved by a special assessment committee that includes the Health Ministry's Psychology Counselling Unit.
"KBS and MOE will continue to discuss supporting the growth of esports while ensuring students' interests are protected," Hannah assured the House.
The ministry's overarching strategy is clear: to cultivate a thriving and economically beneficial esports ecosystem without sacrificing the safety and well-being of the nation's youth.
The plan involves supporting professional athletes, fostering industry growth, but drawing a clear, protective line when it comes to schools. - November 10, 2025
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