Malaysian prime minster Najib Razak announces his government support of eSports
eSports have become larger than it ever were, with governments all around the world recognizing its importance for the future and the digital age. Malaysian government too is planning to turn cyber games or eSports into an industry that can generate revenue for the country in the future, at Asian and international level
Prime Minister Najib Razak said this was in line with the development of the industry with the involvement of the younger generation, who made it a source of income and to fit in with their new lifestyle. “I was told that cyber games will feature at the Asian Games in Indonesia this year. Perhaps this sport can go up until the Olympics.” Said Razak, attending Malaysia Cyber Games 2018.
“Embracing it as a new industry will promise a variety of opportunities, and not just entertainment and lifestyle. However, we must prepare our people to become the generators, the suppliers and active players in cyber games,”
Najib said the government was aware of the needs and desires of youth today, and it’s working on efforts to diversify eSports programmes and expand them across the country.
“We must be a government that cares and understands young people, their language and serve their needs and aspirations,” he said supporting Armand Azha’s suggestion that the Malaysia Cyber Games (MCG) be recognized as an association representing e-games in the country.
Najib witnessed MCG18’s recognition by the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest video game in the country, hosting nine video games with the participation of 2,062 players. MCG18 offered RM300,000 worth of prizes across nine popular video games for two days. The video games contested are Counter Strike GO, Dota 2, FIFA 2018, Street Fighter, Mobile Legends, Tekken 7, Player Unknown Battleground, Justice League 2 and F1 2017 Racing.
