Pokemon Go has negative impact on children, teenagers - Jakim

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) today supported the decision by the Federal Territories Islamic Legal Consultative Committee in forbidding Muslims from engaging themselves in the virtual world of Pokemon characters and play the reality game of Pokemon GO.

Jakim director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha said the decision was consistent with the views of other Muslim countries which found the Pokemon Go game to be dangerous and resulting in fatal accidents.

"The game also has significant negative impact on children and teenagers," he said in a statement here today.

As such he said, Jakim urged Muslims in the country to avoid playing the game.

Last Friday Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri was reported to have said that the Pokemon characters and Pokemon Go game application were forbidden to Muslims due to the principle of 'maslahah' (public interest) and harmful consequences.