PKR recalls the time Putrajaya blocked Steam

BN's promise to focus on e-sports should be taken with a pinch of salt, says Nik Nazmi

Nik Nazmi says the pledge by BN to focus on e-sports should raise scepticism from youths after Putrajaya’s move last year to block popular online games provider Steam.

PETALING JAYA: PKR has reacted to Barisan Nasional’s promise to focus on e-sports by pointing to Putrajaya’s move last year to block popular online games provider Steam.

Speaking to FMT, PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Ahmad alleged that the action taken by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) proved that BN did not care much for youths or e-sports.

Pakatan Harapan has made a similar promise in its manifesto, but Nik Nazmi said such a pledge from BN should raise scepticism from youths.

“Remember the time MCMC blocked Steam?” he said.

The Steam website and its online store were blocked last September, prompting online protests from gamers across the country.

MCMC took the action following a demand from Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak for the provider of the video game “Fight of Gods” to disable downloads for Malaysian users within 24 hours.

The game, developed by Taiwan-based Digital Crafter, caused controversy because it featured historical religious figures among its stable of fighters.

The block was eventually lifted when the website disabled downloads for the game.

Nik Nazmi also noted that internet connectivity in many areas of the country was still poor, saying this raised doubt as to whether BN could adequately fulfil its promise.

“Fundamentally, basic broadband and 4G connections must be improved,” he said. “Our internet speed is slow while prices are expensive.” - FMT