The wait is over, Pokemon GO is now available in Malaysia

The wait is over for Pokemon fans as Pokemon GO is now available in Malaysia.

The popular augmented reality game is available for immediate download on both Play Store for iPhone users and Play Store for Android users.

This was expected, after it was revealed recently that developer Niantic has begun opening dedicated Asian servers, including for Malaysia.

The game created global controversies with players looking for Pokemon at national cemetery and military base.

A couple even abandoned their two-year-old son for the quest.

The parents, 27-year-old Brent Daley and Brianne Daley, 25, were later arrested on charges of child endangerment and child neglect after the incident.

According to Amanz, Pokemon GO is released at 8:00AM today in Malaysia and other countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Micronesia Federations and Palau.

Yesterday, Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri said Muslims are forbidden to engage themselves in the virtual world of Pokemon characters and play the reality game of Pokemon GO due to the principles of maslahah (public interest) and harmful consequences.

READ: Pokemon Go forbidden for Muslims - FT Mufti

He said the ruling was made at the Federal Territories Islamic Legal Consultative Committee meeting on Aug 1.

He said the game promoted a search for power and deities with certain powers which could lead to gambling.