‘E-sports can unite Malaysians’: minister Saddiq, 26, defends gaming, and likely becomes first top official ever to say ‘humongous’
- Youth and sports minister responds to those who say e-sports has no benefits
- He said Malaysia is ranked 21st in the world in revenue from e-sports
Malaysia’s youngest government minister, Syed Saddiq, has made a passionate defence of e-sports as a beneficial pursuit for society, saying gaming is one aspect of life that can unite all Malaysians.
Speaking at a press conference for the Kuala Lumpur Major Dota 2 tournament, the 26-year-old Malaysian youth and sports minister happily embraced a question from one of the reporters at a packed gathering on how he would answer those who say e-sports is a waste of time.
Saddiq, a three-time Asia British Parliamentary Debate champion, answered in his usual eloquent, heartfelt style, saying the future benefits of e-sports for Malaysia are “humongous”.
“There are those who say e-sports is a waste of time, you get addicted and you are not productive, become failures in life. I’m sure all of you in front of me here are not failures,” he said to the gathered media and onlookers, who let out a loud cheer.
“I still remember the time when people said that due to the advancement of internet and computer, there’s no benefit etcetera, etcetera, but look where we are at today.
“Usually things that lead to the greatest of benefits will come with strong resistance in the beginning. But when the community is united, is loud and dare to speak their minds, then people will listen.
“I’m trying my best in whatever way I can to [move e-sports] forward . People would say kaki main game [he’s a gaming addict], Saddiq is menteri gamer [minister of gamers]. I don’t care,” he said to another loud cheer from the throng.
