Tuesday 16 August 2016

Pokemon Go a temporary fad that will fizzle out — Abdul Karim

August 16, 2016

SIBU: Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah finds the latest craze – the location-based reality game ‘Pokemon Go’ as a fad that will fizzle out over time.

“I find this latest craze as just temporary. It is just a fad. It is like fashion or any other interest.

“After a while, the interest will fizzle out and other new interest will crop in.

“We are dealing with youths’ interest here…and basically, youths’ interest on anything (that) comes and go,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman said yesterday.

He was asked on his view on the latest craze in town, where public especially the youths are playing the digital game – Pokemon Go and whether the disadvantages outweighed the benefits of playing the game.

Abdul Karim opined that the government, schools, religious authority and parents need not worry too much.

“Just be observant so that children playing Pokemon Go are doing their homework and having their meals,” he advised.

Turning to road users, he reminded them to be careful so as not to get into accidents.

“Give it a few more months and this fad will fizzle off. We have seen so many digital games that come and go. This is just one of them.”

However, he figured there was a positive outlook to it too as youths who kept to themselves in their rooms before this were going to the park “chasing after pokemon”.

Nonetheless, he opined there were advantages and disadvantages to the game.

Concerning the disadvantage, he said youths could get too engrossed with it that they were not doing their homework and “we do hear of them getting into accidents too”.

“The advantage on the other hand, is that many who are a recluse before this are “opening up” and meeting new friends outside,” he said, adding, “The religious authority that “banned” this game…They are a confused lot themselves.”

“I am unsure whether they even know how the game is played. It is only proper for them to understand youth and youths’ needs before coming with a decree to say it is “haram”.

“Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg puts it rightly. If the game is detrimental to youth and public viewing, it is for MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) to “ban” it and not the religious authority.”

Recently, the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) suggested the government to consider coming up with some guidelines on the Pokemon Go game, which had become an ‘obsession’ among the public, especially the younger generation.

MCPF senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, had urged the government to come up with the dos and don’ts to avoid any kind of unpleasant situation.

Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS), meanwhile, had called for the tightening of the enforcement on prohibiting students to bring mobile or smart phones to school to prevent them playing the Pokemon Go game.
 

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