The Pokemon Go phenomenon is based on a 1990s game but updated with the latest technology that superimposes virtual creatures onto real world locations. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria has called on the federal government to ban Pokemon Go amid news reports Nintendo’s augmented-reality game may be available in Malaysia soon.

The senior Islamic cleric admitted to knowing little about the phenomenally popular smartphone game but said it should not be allowed in the country if it were true there were elements of gambling involved, Malay daily Berita Harian reported today.

“I don’t know much about the game but if it involves elements of gambling and a distraction, it needs to be banned and blocked from our country altogether,” he was quoted saying.

Harussani is the second Islamist to weigh in after Shahrizan Daud. The local preacher told Berita Harian yesterday that Pokemon Go was a form of gambling because it rewarded gamers for the capture of cartoon monsters, adding that it could result in addiction.

The Pokemon Go phenomenon is based on a 1990s game but updated with the latest technology that superimposes virtual creatures onto real world locations, and allows players to view and capture them through their smartphones.

Earlier this week, Islamic clerics in Saudi Arabia were reported by its country’s media to have revived a 2001 fatwa or religious ruling against the game, purportedly on grounds that Pokemon Go preaches polytheism or the worship of more than one God.

But US broadcaster CNN reported today a denial from Saudi authorities.

“No religious fatwa came from the council for senior scholars in Saudi regarding the Pokemon Go game,” the Saudi government was quoted saying in a statement.

The Singapore edition of The International Business Times has reported the game is expected to be released in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia later this week.

A country list of the Pokemon go server status indicates the game will be available in the three South-east Asian republics within the next 30 hours. However, no mention was made of Malaysia.