BUKIT MERTAJAM, Aug 6 — Penang Mufti Datuk Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor today described the location-based augmented reality game, Pokemon Go, as a game that brings more harm than good.

He said even the study by Penang Mufti Department found that the negative consequences of the game outweighed its positive impacts.

However, he said the Penang Fatwa Committee would only discuss the possible ban on the game if there were complaints lodged by the public or if proposed by the any members of the committee.

"We have yet to discuss the matter, but I’m aware that the game has harmful consequences as it can lead to crime and breach of privacy. 

"We will wait and see first, and if there were complaints, then we will discuss further action,” he told reporters after attending the ‘Keluarga Sejahtera’ Convention at Permatang Pauh branch of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) here today.

Pokemon Go, developed by Niantic Incorporation of Nintendo USA has set a new wave of augmented reality game in the history of smartphone applications.

The game enables the player to hunt, fight and train virtual Pokemon characters based on real-world locations detected via their smartphones.

Yesterday, Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri advised Muslims to avoid playing Pokemon Go, saying that it was not allowed on the principle of maslahah (public interest).

He said the matter was decided at the Federal Territories Islamic Legal Consultative Committee meeting on Aug 1. — Bernama