Pokemon Go uses smartphone satellite location, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon monsters on real-world settings, challenging players to capture and train the creatures for battles. Photo by AFP
PUTRAJAYA: The government has yet to decide on issuing a specific circular on the ‘Pokemon Go’ game for civil servants on duty, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.
He pointed out that civil servants were not allowed to play any game including those online during working hours.
“We wait…We will look at its impact,” he told reporters when asked whether the government would issue a circular on ‘Pokemon Go’.
Ali was approached by the media after attending the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) International Conference on Public Sector Productivity, here today.
The game, which is based around real world locations and developed by Niantic Incorporation of Nintendo USA first entered Malaysia last Saturday and had received mixed reactions from the public.
Earlier, Federal Territory Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri said the character Pokemon and the Pokemon Go game application were forbidden for Muslims based on the factors of ‘maslahah’ (interest) and harmful factors.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, was also reported to have said that the application of the virtual game would be forbidden if it was found to have any gambling elements and spying which jeopardised national security. – Bernama