Ministry monitoring 'Blue Whale' suicide online game

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry is to constantly monitor the online game 'Blue Whale', reportedly a suicide challenge that appears to drive vulnerable teens into killing themselves.

Deputy Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said today that despite reports of the game having been detected in Russia, there had been no incidents on social media in Malaysia.

"It is important to note that the Blue Whale is not a game application or software, it is a challenge that can be extended to a person via any communication means, and those who accept the challenge have to play out the instructions in real life, and report back to the challenger.

"We will be alert and conduct constant monitoring. Anyone with information on the matter should immediately contact the ministry," he said to reporters after opening the Bedong 1Malaysia Internet Centre near here.

The game has been linked to at least 130 teen deaths in Russia.

Jailani suggested that industry players create beneficial online games which did not endanger consumers.

On another matter, he advised the people to be wary of the Ransomware Wannacry cyber virus attacks.

"Ensure that your computer systems have up-to-date anti-virus software, back up your data and never click on dubious links," he said.

CyberSecurity Malaysia said yesterday that it had received one official report on the attack so far, but the agency believed that many cases had gone unreported.