Why Blocking PUBG by MUI and the Minister of Communication and Information Sounds So Ridiculous

First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences to all the victims and their families as a result of the terror attacks in Christchruch New Zealand. The indiscriminate and savage shooting by a terrorist in Christchurch, New Zealand has left deep wounds and fear around the world. However, it was adapted and responded to reactively by several countries including Indonesia with a discourse that sounded quite ridiculous.

We are now officially on the platform Tiktok! Follow our Tiktok account at @gamebrott.com to find various information and our other interesting video content.

Reporting from News Detik, the West Java MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council) is considering a haram fatwa regarding the PUBG game by conducting a study first. A similar statement was actually delivered by the Malaysian Ulama, the Mufti Negeri Sembilan Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad, but was strongly opposed by the Malaysian Menpora Syed Saddiq.

The thing that underlies the fear and the discourse of blocking is actually simple. The whole discourse and statement of blocking the PUBG game appeared after the terrorism case in New Zealand, it felt reactive and without basis because clearly the terrorist himself through his manifesto vehemently denied that his action was inspired or based on a Video Game. There are also no studies that explain that video games are the main element that causes aggressive behavior.

1. Blocking One or Two Games IS NOT THE SOLUTION

The first silliness is that the discourse that is being discoursed seems very insoluble. Will the PUBG game be blocked, will the problem be solved? does the PUBG game not appear similar to the game being blocked?. There are already many FPS-themed games that are mushrooming in Indonesia, blocking PUBG will certainly not stop people from accessing other games such as PB, Free Fire, or other shooting games. Without an improvement in the age limit of video game ratings, structurally gamers will only move to other games. Scorched earth one POPULAR game is only a short term reactive solution for thrill-seeking.

2. Mental Improvement and More Crucial Socialization

Just imagine if a child is prohibited from smoking without giving an understanding of the dangers of smoking “You are still a child, you already smoke! not allowed!” will the child stop? or even stealing behind? please answer MUI or the Normies. The discourse that is missing from our society is the existence of teachings about tolerance, the driving factor for terrorists in New Zealand to carry out crazy actions is because of the freedom of weapons and the circulation of the lack of tolerance for certain groups. Educating children and parents about the filter of violence in video games is actually more effective, socializations like this are actually abandoned by the government.

3. Laws and Special Agencies already exist

Why this discourse actually feels a bit strange is because the government itself already has regulations regarding video game ratings. Based on the Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Information Number 11 of 2016 it is actually clear that there is an Electronic Interactive Game Classification Committee which is responsible for rating video games. Based on the same rules, PUBG itself can be classified as a game for 18 years and over because the blood content and weapons are identical to the real world. Even the committee also has the right to review a game based on the existing issues, so it feels strange if the Ministry of Communication and Information is actually waiting for the MUI review first.

The government only needs to be firm with the rules they make themselves, minors need to be limited, but the rules just seem to evaporate in the air.

4.Video Games Are Different Now

Those who are stuck in the mindset of the past feel like old-school parents holding a high-end smartphone. Assuming its use is only for calls and sms, video games are now not just entertainment or ordinary spare time fillers. Many positive things that are now being echoed by young people, the emergence of new professions such as E-sports players or streamers is the fruit of the use of games today.

Jess No Limit and other PUBG pro players who make millions of rupiah are not seen by those who are against the PUBG game. Seeing the PUBG game as something that only causes harm without seeing the positive things behind it shows how old-fashioned the rule holders are.

5. Okay, Haram Game, Halal Game Like What?

The emergence of halal and haram in a game is actually no problem, but if something is considered black then there are other things that become white as a benchmark. We can imagine if a game needs to include the values of a certain religion in order to get a pass stamp. There needs to be an element of religion, it is necessary to review it many times so that it fits in every religion (because the average game is made globally, not in a particular country). However, the adjustment of the game on the elements of norms and humanity is more rational to apply because human rights are the benchmark used by the majority of all countries.

The point is if it’s MUI really seriously forbid a game, they also need to provide a clear reference or reference how a game can be considered Halal. So that the developers are not confused to adjust the standard to the Indonesian or Malaysian market. Not only prohibiting here and there without a Real SOLUTION, closing and banning a game is only a state restraint against existing progress.

Where abroad, especially New Zealand, are busy with Fortnite and Apex Legends games, then they actually block PUBG Mobile or PUBG Ordinary, which shows how insensitive they are, and how easy it is for Hoax consumption to spread in Indonesia. The media that stirred up this issue was no less ridiculous because a more important issue than the New Zealand case was actually covered up with the problem of blocking online video games.

I am a writer who focuses on issues in the world and the Video Games industry if you want to read my other writings, you can read them here.