Pokemon Go hits Malaysian shores amid clerics' no

Pokemon Go was today launched in Malaysia amid Islamic clerics' call asking Muslims to avoid playing the augmented reality game because it could "lead to gambling" and "crime".
The launch of the eagerly awaited augmented reality game today in Malaysia, alongside 14 other Asia-Pacific nations, came a day after the Federal Territories Mufti here declared the game as "forbidden".
The Mufti Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said an Islamic Committee had studied opinions of ulama as well as fatwa (from abroad) and agreed that the fatwa issued had basis.
"The Pokemon Go game should be avoided as it can lead to harm," he said in a statement.

He said"the game promoted a search for power, and for idols which have certain powers, and could lead to elements of gambling".
"We hope that Muslims, specifically in the Federal Territories, refrain from getting involved with the application," he said.

Meanwhile, Penang Mufti Datuk Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor today described the location-based augmented reality game as a game that brings more harm than good.
He said even the study by Penang Mufti Department found that the negative consequences of the game outweighed its positive impacts.
However, he said the Penang Fatwa Committee would only discuss the possible ban on the game if there were complaints lodged by the public or if proposed by the any members of the committee.

"We have yet to discuss the matter, but I'm aware that the game has harmful consequences as it can lead to crime and breach of privacy.
"We will wait and see first, and if there were complaints, then we will discuss further action," he told reporters after attending the 'Keluarga Sejahtera' Convention at Permatang Pauh branch of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) here.
Despite no official announcement yet by its makers Niantic, Malaysia has been marked as 'available' on its official website, and has been downloaded more than 50 million times worldwide.
In Thailand, where the game launched today, the culture and health ministries expressed concern over its impact on people.

In Bangkok, the Ministry of Culture said the new craze over Pokemon Go may cause damages to historical places during playing the game, local media said quoting sources.
Dr Yongyuth Wongpiromsan, Public Health Ministry spokesman and psychiatrist, said the players may become addicted to the game and cause problems to themselves and nearby people.