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State Palace bans Pokémon Go
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A sign at the Presidential Palace warns visitors on Wednesday of a ban on the Pokémon Go game. The State Palace has issued a ban restricting staff members as well as guests from playing the popular augmented-reality game within the palace area, amid security concerns. (thejakartapost.com/Ayomi Amindoni)
T
he State Palace issued a restriction on Wednesday against the globally popular augmented-reality game Pokémon Go for all staff and guests at the palace, amid security concerns.
Printed warnings have been put up in several locations at the palace that read “No playing or hunting Pokémon in the palace area”.
“The reason is simple; the palace is the President’s office and it is not a playground. It must be safeguarded,” Presidential Office press bureau chief Bey Machmuddin told journalists on Wednesday.
(Read also : Govt told to monitor potential threats posed by Pokemon Go)
The palace, as the residence and office of the President, must be kept secure at all times. The ban was aimed at maintaining security in the area as hunting the virtual creatures could lead to misunderstandings with the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres), Bey said. The State Palace has urged everyone visiting the palace to respect regulations.
Although it has not been officially launched in Indonesia, Pokémon Go has become a hit among Indonesians, especially those living in big cities like Jakarta and Bandung. The game offers players the experience of being a Pokémon hunter by searching for the digital monsters in the real world.
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has also issued restrictions on its members playing the popular game following security issues in restricted military facilities. (rin)
