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The Star
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Controller and order?
AZLAN (not his real name) has dreamed of joining an e-sports team since he was a child. Now 23, he managed, through mutual friends, to land a 12-month contract late last year with a team specialising in a few popular online games. But just three months into the venture, he realised that things weren't as rosy as he had imagined. 'My contract is a bit perplexing. There are so many things I'm not allowed to do, including speaking to the press as a gamer or team member, attending tournaments as a spectator without permission, or even communicating with rival teams off the field, so to speak. 'When it comes to prize money, I usually get the smallest cut. I've seen other teams split it equally among members. So I feel something isn't quite right with mine. I also can't exit the contract early. If I do, I'll have to pay a penalty.' Azlan's experience is an example of what can go wrong in the absence of standardised regulation in Malaysia's e-sports scene, which leaves players vulnerable to various forms of exploitation. But the problem isn't limited to shady contracts alone. In a broader context, Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF) president Muhammad Naim Al-Amin tells the Sunday Star that the lack of dedicated e-sports legislation has led to persistent issues involving sponsorship deals, prize money distribution, cheating, match fixing and player conduct. Similar concerns are also echoed by International Esports Federation Athletes Committee chair Tiffani Lim, who says a proper system is especially crucial now, as the sector transitions into an Olympics-recognised sport. Muhammad Naim and Lim are among several industry voices calling for either specific e-sports legislation or, at the very least, a dedicated arbitration framework to address these ongoing challenges. Seems disorganised E-sports has been growing into a highly competitive arena for more than three decades – one where real money and prestige are on the line. Globally, the e-sports market is projected to generate US$4.8bil (RM20.5bil) in revenue this year. According to Statista, it is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.56%, reaching US$5.9bil (RM25bil) by 2029. This revenue stems from various streams, including sponsorships, merchandise, ticketing, and streaming. On the home front, Malaysia has made a name for itself in popular titles like Mobile Legends and Dota 2, while the local e-sports market is projected to hit RM29mil in revenue this year. But beyond the colourful onscreen action, trophy ceremonies, and booming industry, the lack of a standardised system to regulate competition, ensure fairness and protect players' rights remains a major gap. Muhammad Naim admits that the absence of dedicated e-sports legislation has brought a host of problems. He says Malaysia currently relies on the National Sports Policy 2021 and general laws for matters relating to contracts, intellectual property (IP), and employment. MESF is a national- level sports association registered with the Malaysian Sports Commissioner under the Sports Development Act 1997. 'Key issues include contract breaches such as unpaid salaries and abrupt team dismissals, sponsorship disputes, and IP conflicts over content creation. Organisations face governance gaps, such as unclear player transfer rules and match-fixing risks,' says Muhammad Naim. He points to the 2019 Mobile Legends match-fixing scandal as an example. In that case, professional players attempted to manipulate game outcomes for financial gain by incentivising others to deliberately lose. Investigations led to multiple bans and suspensions. Former national e-sports team manager Kelvin Pang echoes these concerns, noting that contract disputes and player poaching remain rampant in the local scene. 'We have organisations 'owning' players for an extended period of time even though the player has been benched or inactive from the main roster. 'On top of that, they are tagged with ridiculous buyout clauses. If no party can meet the buyout clause, the player would have to see out the remaining duration of his contract being kept in 'cold storage',' he says. On the issue of player poaching, Pang says some organisations still choose to employ unsolicited methods to sign players. 'It could be related to players being tagged with a ridiculous buyout clause that doesn't allow these organisations to go through the proper channels of enquiring about a player's availability.' Lim, who is also a referee and e-sports athlete, adds that conflict resolution currently lies solely with tournament organisers, which has led to inconsistent and often unsatisfactory outcomes. 'It seems quite disorganised and as you can imagine the due investigation procedures were not followed. Things were not resolved satisfactorily and involved parties ended up seeking help from international federations or parties to appeal, or just to pursue a fair review. 'So it's evident that there's no proper or objectively fair process that all parties can accept at the moment. 'So far it's just that whoever organises has full power to decide on what they think is the right or in some cases most convenient resolution.' Law or arbitration? Pang is advocating for an arbitration-based system as a standardised framework, which he says is more practical compared with having a specific law governing e-sports. 'The e-sports industry evolves so much faster compared with traditional sports. Dedicated laws would struggle to keep pace with e-sports' rapid evolution, such as technological advancements, game release cycles and evolving game mechanics.' Lim agrees, saying a standardised arbitration body would ensure consistency and fairness, and add credibility to the industry. 'It is much needed as e-sports is in the midst of transitioning into an Olympic sport, and we simply can't keep handling things the old semi-pro way. A proper arbitration system would add legitimacy and make sure everyone's on the same page.' However, a hybrid approach combining specific laws and arbitration mechanisms might be the most holistic solution, says Muhammad Naim. 'While arbitration offers flexibility and speed, a specific law could address unique challenges like player rights, gambling regulations and IP in virtual assets. 'For instance, disputes over streaming rights or sudden contract terminations highlight the need for tailored frameworks. A hybrid approach, by supplementing arbitration with targeted laws, might balance efficiency and clarity.' Muhammad Naim suggests enacting laws could also help increase awareness among teams and organisations about using legal avenues to resolve disputes. He cites the Asian Inter-national Arbitration Centre, which offers specialised e-sports dispute resolution emphasising confidentiality and speed. 'It introduced e-sports-specific arbitration rules in 2022, resolving cases like a player- transfer fee dispute between two local teams. 'While effective for contractual issues, its adoption remains limited due to low awareness among smaller organisations.' At the same time, Muhammad Naim notes that the National Esports Development Guideline 2019 (Nesdeg) provides structure for athlete welfare, event standards, and anti-doping measures. However, as a non-binding guideline, it lacks enforcement power. 'Stakeholders argue Nesdeg needs legislative backing or integration with the Sports Development Act 1997 to address governance gaps, such as dispute resolution mechanisms.' Other recommendations Lawyer Bryan Boo believes a dedicated e-sports law is unnecessary, asserting that existing sports laws are sufficient. 'I don't think that there is a need for a dedicated e-sports law in Malaysia. E-sports is essentially game publishing companies using competition to promote their commercial interests through game titles. 'The competition element of it is quite similar to any traditional sport. 'There are rules, regulations and it's teams competing to be the ultimate champion, whether it's in a league or any other tournament format. 'In that sense, I would think that the existing laws governing sports would also be applicable to e-sports. Hence, in my opinion, it was a positive move for e-sports to be included under the Sports Development Act [SDA].' Boo also disputes claims that e-sports is unregulated, pointing to the SDA's role in overseeing governing bodies and tournament licensing. 'This keeps the governing body in check and also ensures that the tournament organisers must have their tournaments endorsed or sanctioned by the governing body. 'Compliance with the implementation of the Safe Sport Code is also required. So in my view, we already have in place robust legislation and policies to regulate e-sports in Malaysia.' He points out that South Korea is one of the few countries with e-sports-specific legislation. 'Although, as far as I am aware, that legislation is only regarding the promotion of e-sports through local governments. This further solidifies my belief that there is no lack of legislation that can effectively govern e-sports.' However, Boo argues that Malaysia lacks qualified personnel with experience in e-sports governance, dispute resolution and technical matters. 'In my humble opinion, I do not think that these are matters that should or could be legislated. 'Having the right people and having the right training would resolve a lot of these matters.' From a general perspective, Boo says more protections are needed, whether through law, policy, or education. He says this includes ensuring that the prohibition of minor contracts (and any exemptions) are complied with; ensuring that tournament organisers have the required licences (including from the game publishers) and that they do indeed already have the prize money ready to be disbursed; ensuring that the spirit of sportsmanship is upheld in e-sports; and that the principle of fair play is always at the cornerstone of e-sports. Lim says any legal or arbitration system introduced should include an enforcement mechanism . 'Cheating and match fixing usually get called out by viewers, opponents, or analysts because you have to be able to capture the little things in games like unnatural movements, decisions that don't make sense, or actions that go against usual habits. 'So I believe there needs to be a safe and secure way for people to submit tips with evidence, but also protect their identities. 'The investigation team should include game experts, like referees or analysts to review the evidence, plus legal experts if it's part of a bigger match-fixing ring or syndicate. To effectively deter these types of behaviour, tournament organisers – both private or publisher-backed – have to be a part of this system as well so that industry-wide bans can be enforced, he says. 'Otherwise, like in the past, players banned by one organiser tend to just hop to another [tournament by different organisers], and match fixing keeps happening.' She also recommends a panel to handle unsportsmanlike conduct and determine penalties that match the severity of violations. 'It could be a panel made up of referees or representatives from different tournament organisers to collectively vote and decide on the penalty for each case.'
The Star
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
All heart and Seoul
MALAYSIA'S top diplomat in Seoul was barely months into his new posting when martial law was abruptly declared on the night of Dec 3, 2024. The suddenness of the announcement meant there was no playbook to follow in dealing with the seismic political shift. In the words of Malaysia's ambassador to South Korea Datuk Mohd Zamruni Khalid, he was in uncharted territory. 'That evening was undeniably a dramatic and unsettling period. When then President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law was announced, a sense of tension and confusion swept through the international diplomatic community in Seoul. 'It felt as though we were thrust into uncharted territory,' he recalls in an e-mail interview with Sunday Star recently. He and other fellow ambassadors exchanged messages, seeking clarification and attempting to decipher the announcement's potential scope and implications for their respective citizens and interests in the Republic of Korea (ROK). 'The unexpected nature of the declaration amplified the anxiety, as it disrupted the established sense of stability.' Zamruni, 57, says his primary focus was to ensure the safety of Malaysians in South Korea. 'We prepared contingency plans for various scenarios, including potential travel restrictions or disruptions to essential services,' he says, besides providing real-time updates to Putrajaya. Fortunately, the situation had been de-escalated by the following morning. (Yoon's doomed attempt lasted six hours before the South Korean Parliament passed a resolution to revoke the emergency martial law.) 'The presence of military personnel diminished and daily life appeared to resume a semblance of normalcy,' Zamruni says of the next morning. 'This easing of tensions allowed us to transition from crisis management mode to a more measured evaluation of the long-term ramifications. We continued to monitor the situation closely, engaging with ROK government officials and other diplomatic missions to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying factors and potential future developments.' The past year had been a frenetic time for Zamruni, a career diplomat who previously served in New York City, Hanoi, and Paris. Three months after the chaos of that martial law announcement, South Korea witnessed unprecedented wildfires sweeping through its mountainous south- eastern region. And within six months of Zamruni's arrival in Seoul in April last year, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came to town. 'It was undoubtedly a demanding but incredibly rewarding experience. To say the preparations were hectic would be an understatement,' says Zamruni of the Prime Minister's visit. 'The accelerated timeline required immediate immersion and a steep learning curve, not just for myself, but for the entire team,' he says. Zamruni and his team had to learn about the logistical requirements and the specific priorities of both governments within a limited time frame. 'This meant long hours, attention to detail, and constant communication across multiple departments and agencies, both here in Seoul and back in Malaysia.' The key, he says, was teamwork. 'I am immensely proud of the entire embassy team in the ROK that demonstrated dedication and commitment. They sacrificed personal time and poured their energy into ensuring every aspect of the visit was meticulously planned and executed.' Contingency planning was also paramount, he says. 'We anticipated potential issues, from logistical challenges to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, and developed backup plans to minimise disruptions.' Ultimately, it was a rewarding time for his team. 'Seeing the visit culminate in the elevation of our bilateral relationship, with the promise of RM32bil in potential investments, made all the hard work worthwhile,' Zamruni says. Following Anwar's visit, both countries have intensified efforts to attract investment, trade, and technology collaboration. 'For instance, Hyundai announced a RM2.14bil investment in Malaysia, and Simmtech Co Ltd is expanding its operations in Penang,' he says of the car manufacturer and semiconductor company respectively. He says both countries may also explore initiatives to increase scholarships, besides promoting educational and cultural exchanges to equip young people with the tools to address challenges like climate change and economic inequalities. This year, Malaysia and South Korea are celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties. 'Since establishing diplomatic ties with the ROK in 1960, bilateral relations have remained strong and productive, especially in trade, investment, tourism, education, and human resource development,' says Zamruni. According to the ambassador, Malaysia's Look East policy, initiated in the 1980s, has strengthened people-to-people ties, while South Korea's New Southern Policy and Korean-Asean Solidarity Initiative have enhanced economic ties, cultural exchanges, and support for Asean's sustainable development efforts. 'The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Asean and South Korea also paves the way for deeper cooperation in defence and security, emphasising digital transformation and economic resilience in response to regional challenges.' As the ambassador, Zamruni says his priority is to achieve a substantial increase in trade and investment between the two nations. 'A key instrument in achieving this goal is the successful conclusion and implementation of the Malaysia-Korea Free Trade Agreement [MKFTA]. We are targeting the signing of the MKFTA by late 2025, and I view this as a critical milestone with transformative potential.' He says the agreement is aimed at unlocking new opportunities for trade, reducing barriers to investment, and facilitating a seamless flow of goods, services, and capital between the two countries. Zamruni has also engaged directly with Korean companies that have shown interest in expanding their operations to Malaysia. 'This engagement is not merely perfunctory; it is a sustained and deliberate effort to build strong relationships, understand their needs and concerns, and provide them with the support and assurances they require to make confident investment decisions.' During a National Day celebration in Seoul last year, Zamruni recapped the steady growth in bilateral trade and the robust collaborations between the two nations in the past six decades. For instance, the construction of one of the Petronas Twin Towers in the 1990s was carried out by a consortium led by Samsung C&T. 'I hope Korea and Malaysia will continue to nurture their strong relationship, walking hand in hand into the future, just as they have for the past 60 years.' He ended with a Malay proverb, saying: 'Many hands make light work. We are in this together through thick and thin.'
The Star
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tok Mat: Calm in the eye of the storm
DATUK Seri Mohamad Hasan's calm demeanour belies the tremendous pressure that comes with the Foreign Minister's job. He will travel again for a working visit to Russia but not before 'balik kawasan' (making a visit) to his constituency Rembau, Negri Sembilan, over the weekend. In two weeks, Malaysia will host the 46th Asean Summit and Wisma Putra is the key ministry to make sure all goes well. Since holding the Cabinet post from December 2023, Mohamad has gone to so many countries on working visits or to accompany the Prime Minister on official trips that he has lost count of the number of countries visited. If he is tired, he doesn't show it. Fatigue is not in his vocabulary. Mohamad rarely gives sit-down interviews to the press, so when he finally agrees to meet Sunday Star, it is an opportunity not to be missed. He has notes prepared by his officers for the interview but he hardly looks at them, showing he is comfortable talking about the issues raised. This time it is on Asean. The 46th Summit on May 26 and 27 in Kuala Lumpur is all ready, says Tok Mat, as he is familiarly known as. One of the summit highlights will be the adoption of the Asean Community Vision 2045, an ambitious 20-year plan to further integrate the peoples of Asean in political, economic, and social spheres. The 2045 Vision is a continuation of the Asean 2025 Vision which was adopted, also in Kuala Lumpur, in 2015 when Malaysia was the then Asean chair. It was a historic turning point in Asean: the declaration of the Asean Community's plans for the future after 48 years in existence as a grouping. But 20 years is a long time to anticipate the challenges ahead. So how does the vision take into consideration all the possible factors? 'Twenty years does not mean we will be doing the same thing. There will be a review every three years and if possible, we will adapt according to the current situation. 'This vision is not so rigid. That is why we call it our shared future because we want a more cohesive community,' he says. He notes that there is a sense that Asean cohesion is diminishing, especially with the current geopolitical tensions and economic challenges, among other issues. 'During the Foreign Ministers retreat in Langkawi in January, I told my Asean colleagues that it is true each of us has our own foreign policy and interests. But I reminded them that Asean should remain united in the face of major power rivalries in the region. 'We want a strong Asean bloc on a solid platform, hence the theme this year is 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.' Myanmar will definitely be one of the issues on the table. Malaysia has appointed Tan Sri Othman Hashim as the special envoy of Asean on this. This position currently rotates every year with the Chair of Asean. The envoy is tasked with finding a peaceful solution to the country's human rights violation and humanitarian crisis sparked by the 2021 military coup. Othman has just returned from New York after briefing the UN Security Council on his engagements with the various Myanmar stakeholders. The special envoy will be reporting to Asean leaders on May 26 while Mohamad will chair the Asean Troika on Myanmar and the Extended Troika on May 24. The troika mechanism was established by Asean leaders in 2023 to ensure continuous work on handling the crisis in Myanmar. The troika consists of the previous, current, and incoming Asean Chairs. Currently, members of the troika are Laos, Malaysia, and the Philippines, while the extended troika consists of other member states. Last year, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim caught everyone off guard when he announced former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra as an informal adviser to the Asean Chair. Anwar has met Thaksin several times, and at their last meeting in Bangkok last month, questions were raised on giving legitimacy to Myanmar's State Administrative Council junta chief Min Aung Hlaing by inviting him to Bangkok for a meeting. Anwar also held an online meeting with Mahn Win Khaing Thann, the leader of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG). So how does the work of the special envoy and Thaksin-led advisory group complement each other in bringing peace in Myanmar? Mohamad explains that Thaksin's contribution is through his influence with various stakeholders, and along with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen in the advisory group, adds value to its reconciliatory efforts. 'But everything must go through the Asean platform. There is the Asean way of doing things. We have the consensus process,' he added. Mohamad also shares what he saw when he went to Myanmar capital Naypyidaw on a humanitarian mission after the powerful earthquakes recently. 'I went as Asean Chair and invited Thai foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa to join us. I saw disaster all round, buildings and roads collapsed. I told my Thai colleague that perhaps this earthquake can be a start for Myanmar reconciliatory efforts. 'That is why the temporary ceasefire to allow recovery is important because it will take years to do so. 'I held a meeting with the Myanmar Foreign Minister in a tent because his office building had collapsed, there were casualties,' he recalls. Another highlight of the 46th Asean Summit will be the Second Asean Gulf Cooperation Council Summit (GCC) and Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit. Mohamad notes concern about the United States' possible reaction to the economic summit with China. 'We have informed the US that China is our trading partner, and likewise Asean wants to have a summit with the US. We do not want to be seen as taking sides with any countries. 'The Prime Minister has written to the US for the summit to take place this year, if possible.' Towards the end of the interview, Mohamad speaks about the challenges he has faced as the Foreign Minister. 'There is no problem in carrying out my job as our foreign policy is already there. 'But sometimes challenges arise with the interference of powerful nations. It is managing a situation that hopefully will not get worse or ensuring everyone gets along and not be suspicious of each other,' he says without elaborating. Overlapping claims in the South China Sea have been a flashpoint and contentious issue among some Asean claimant states, namely Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Along with China, Taiwan is also staking a claim. There are also member states which are seen as friendly to major powers. Asean and China are still negotiating a Code of Conduct to manage disputes and ensure the region remains peaceful. 'That is why communication with my colleagues is important,' he says, adding that there is a private group chat among all the Asean foreign ministers except Myanmar's. 'After coming back from Vientianne last year [Laos was Chair], I was complaining it was difficult to get some of them since they were constantly travelling. 'Now that we have this group chat, we are closer and it's so much easier to communicate and to quickly react to developing issues like Gaza and the quake in Myanmar.'
The Star
21-04-2025
- The Star
Prevention of entry, not raids, is the real solution
I REFER to the reports '45 foreign workers nabbed in raids on Arab eateries' (Sunday Star, April 20) and 'Ceiling hide-out fails in immigration raid, 506 foreigners detained' (The Star, April 19). Reports about immigration raids on foreign workers without valid documents are quite regular these days, reflecting the scale of the issue.
