Moonton Apologizes to PBESI for Hosting MPL Indonesia Without Permission

Published by

Hongyu Chen

1 year ago

Moonton apologizes to Indonesian government.

Moonton, the Chinese game developer and tournament organizer of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) apologized on social media, claiming that it was a mistake and negligence to host MPL Indonesia Season 10 without Pengurus Besar Esports Indonesia (PBESI)’s permission and recommendation.

In addition, Moonton also acknowledged PBESI as the only “Esports Parent Organization” that is recognized by the Indonesia government in the statement. The statement, translated to English, reads as follows:

[As] the organizers of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Indonesia Season 10, we hereby apologize profusely to the General Board of Esports Indonesia (PBESI), the Participants of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Season 10, and the public at large for our negligence in holding Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Season 10 without the permission and recommendation of PBESI.

We acknowledge and fully realize that this was our fault due to our inaccuracy. Through this release, we also state that we acknowledge PBESI as the only Esports Parent Organization that is recognized by the Government of Indonesia. Therefore, We promise and commit that We will comply [with] all PBESI Rules and/or Policies as well as other Rules and/or Policies related to Achievement Sports, in this case, Esports in Indonesia, so that we can always provide the best for the Esports community in Indonesia.

We value and appreciate all the support that continues to be given to us.

The MPL Indonesia Season 10 concluded on Oct. 23, 2022. It’s unclear why Moonton had to make the apology last week before the MPL Indonesia Season 11.

“I don’t know the details, but we’ve maintained a long-term communication with PBESI,” a source inside of Moonton China told The Esports Advocate. The source also confirmed to TEA that the MLBB’s annual event last year—M4 World Championship hosted in Jakarta—was not included in this violation.

The MPL Indonesia Season 11 will start in February with a total prize pool of $300K USD.

Hongyu Chen

Hongyu "Eddie" Chen serves as conduit from China to the rest of global esports scene as the only Chinese journalist living in China while writing for Western media outlets. For the last four years Eddie served as the China esports correspondent for The Esports Observer and Sports Business Journal. He is a bilingual graduate of MA Business and Marketing and a certified BEng Electronic and Communication Engineer.