Don't trespass restricted areas when playing Pokemon Go - IGP

Playing Pokemon Go at restricted areas can be considered trespassing and action taken said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said although Malaysia did not have any specific laws to restrict people playing the virtual game, police however, could take stern action for trespassing.

"It is indeed just a game, but I would like to remind that all police stations and its areas are restricted and there are laws that allow action to be taken on whoever trespass restricted areas.

"I would like to also advise that those who are too obsessed in hunting the Pokemon, to avoid breaching the law, including trespassing houses of people and driving while playing the game," he told reporters when met on the sidelines of the International Conference On Blue Ocean Strategy (ICBOS), Tuesday.

Khalid had also warned police personnel to not play the game or any other games while on duty or action could also be taken against them.

On another development, Khalid said police would soon launch a new smartphone application called 'Volunteer Smartphone' which enables members of the public to lodge reports together with pictures or videos from their phones.

"The application is now under development stage and in the process of improving its contents, we will announce once its completed," he said.

He expected about six million people to use the application which is an upgrade version of the Rakan Cop programme.

"This effort will facilitate the police to collect intelligent information and give response faster, while turning the public into the eyes and ears of the police," he added.