SEARCCT

Exploring Gaming Spaces for PCVE in Malaysia

Lead Researcher: Nurul Hidayah Mohd Noar

SEARCCT conducted an exploratory study examining gaming spaces within the context of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) in Malaysia, in response to growing recognition that gaming and gaming-adjacent platforms can function as both spaces of risk and spaces of resilience. The research sought to examine how gaming spaces can be leveraged for positive prevention within PCVE frameworks and explore the role of community actors in shaping safer online environments. The study adopted a practitioner-led approach, combining research analysis with youth engagement. In 2025, SEARCCT shared insights derived from the research through media engagement, including an interview with The Star, published in February 2025. Selected research findings were also featured in the SEARCCT Selection of Articles 2025. These engagements extended the dissemination of the research beyond academic and policy audiences and supported public awareness of how online gaming environments may be exploited. Research findings were further presented at the Hedayah International Research Conference 2025 in Brussels, during a panel on Gaming and Digital Resilience. Direct engagement with university students formed a core component of the research dissemination strategy, recognising youth as both key stakeholders and agents of resilience. Knowledge-sharing sessions were conducted with students at Universiti Teknologi MARA Kota Kinabalu Campus and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia through the University Lecture Series programme. The sessions focused on how extremist actors may exploit gaming spaces, the importance of critical digital literacy, and the role of community dan peer awareness in prevention efforts. Overall, the research has generated policy-relevant insights to support government agencies and PCVE stakeholders in strengthening their understanding of the gaming ecosystem and identifying how prevention approaches may operate effectively within it.