YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said many youths are involved in online gambling.
“On issues of gadget addiction and online gambling involving youths… this one is indeed high. But I don’t have the data with me now,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
She said her ministry was holding discussions with the relevant authorities on addressing the issue.
Meanwhile, Yeoh said amendments to the Sports Development Act 1997, including provisions related to sports integrity, were expected to be tabled next year.
“The ministry is holding roundtable discussions with stakeholders to make the act more effective and to empower the Sports Commissioner and the minister.”
She was responding to Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap), who asked about the ministry’s plans to strengthen legal powers to curb the risks of fraud and manipulation in e-sports.
On concerns that promoting e-sports in schools could contribute to gadget addiction among students, Yeoh said the ministry had adopted a conservative approach.
She acknowledged that gadget addiction and excessive screen time among students remained areas of concern.
“Therefore, supervision and guidance must begin at home by parents so that interest in e-sports can be managed in a balanced manner.
“So far, there has been no active promotion in schools by either the Youth and Sports Ministry or the Education Ministry.”
Through engagements with the Education Ministry, Yeoh said a proposal paper and draft guidelines on e-sports in schools had been prepared.
“Starting next year, the Education Ministry will assess and provide support to e-sports events organised by external agencies involving students for the purpose of awarding marks and evaluating physical, sports and co-curricular activities.
“This support will only be given to organisers using approved game titles, based on a list issued by the Game Title Evaluation Committee.
“This committee involves the Psychology and Counselling Unit of the Health Ministry and it will evaluate each game title and its content to ensure suitability within the educational context, as well as to safeguard students’ well-being,” she added.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
