Esports has been getting well-received in Malaysia these few years, and now the government has finally decided to push the industry further. At the tabling of Malaysia Budget 2019, Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng announces that the government will allocate RM10 million to MDEC in order to further develop the interest of the younger generation in Esports.
RM10 juta untuk membangun dan menggalakkan E-Sports, sebagai sebuah aktiviti dan industri yang diminati oleh generasi muda, yang melibatkan jurutera perisian dan pemaju permainan digital. #Belanjawan2019 #eSports pic.twitter.com/LSeyfJsdlU
— Institut Sukan Negara 🥇🇲🇾 (@isnmalaysia) November 2, 2018
While on the other side, it is also announced that international online-based service including Steam, Netflix and Spotify will be subjected to tax from January 1, 2020. This is to balance the competitive environment between local and international online-based service provider according to the premier. Meanwhile, the tax amount and how it will be implemented yet are still unknown yet, but it is confirmed that these services (especially buying games) will cost us more in the future.
What are your thoughts on the new Malaysia Budget 2019 announcements? Tell us your opinion below!