Selangor Red Giants OG Esports (SRG) have officially carved their name into Malaysian esports history. At the MPL Malaysia Season 16 Grand Finals, the reigning dynasty clinched their fourth consecutive championship, solidifying their dominance in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and securing their place at the upcoming M7 World Championship.
But the celebration didn’t end with the trophy lift. Season 16 also became the backdrop for a powerful new study that reveals how Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is reshaping Malaysian society—particularly in how families view gaming careers.
SRG Secure Fourth MPL Title and Lead Malaysia to M7
The finals at MAEPS Serdang delivered a spectacle from start to finish, with SRG sweeping CG Esports 4-0 in a decisive victory. Jungler Muhammad Haqqullah “Sekys” Ahmad Shahrul Zaman earned the Finals MVP award after an explosive performance that left no room for debate: SRG’s reign is far from over.
This win extends their unprecedented streak from back-to-back champions, to three-peat victors, and now to an unmatched four-peat—something no other Malaysian MLBB team has achieved.
SRG Co-Founder Simon Lim shared his pride in the team’s consistency and the league’s rapid growth, saying:
“This victory means a lot because it is four times in a row. No one has done this in Malaysia. Each season needs a bigger venue—this shows how fast the community is growing.”
Both SRG and CG Esports now advance to the M7 World Championship, set for January 3–25, 2026, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
MPL Malaysia Season 16 Breaks Records and Elevates Esports Status
Season 16 proved to be one of the biggest in MPL Malaysia history:
- 600,000+ Peak Concurrent Viewers, a 20% jump from Season 15
- Nearly 10,000 fans attended the four-day Playoffs
- National MLBB representatives for the IESF World Championship and the 33rd SEA Games were honored during the Grand Finals
These numbers highlight Malaysia’s growing stake in global esports and MLBB’s increasingly central role in shaping the local competitive landscape.
Groundbreaking Study Shows Rising Acceptance of Esports Careers
Alongside the finals, MOONTON Games and global market research firm Niko Partners unveiled “The Societal Impact of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in Malaysia”—a comprehensive bulletin supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and Esports Integrated (ESI).
The findings reflect a dramatic cultural shift:
- 72.1% of Malaysian parents now support esports as a legitimate career path
- 89.7% believe MLBB and esports offer viable career opportunities
- 83.2% of daily MLBB players aspire to pursue gaming-related careers
- Malaysia now has 18.8 million gamers, over half the nation’s population
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports YB Adam Adli emphasized that these results validate the government’s push for structured esports education pathways.
“We hear the message from parents clearly: over half want formal education to support esports careers, and we are responding,” he noted, referencing the ministry’s new esports TVET module.
Industry Leaders Call for Continued Collaboration
During the bulletin launch, leaders from MOONTON Games, Niko Partners, KBS, and ESI discussed the future of Malaysia’s esports ecosystem.
Edward Tien, Analyst at Niko Partners, stressed the importance of cross-industry collaboration, responsible gaming practices, and long-term career pathways.
“To fully unlock esports’ potential, we need government, educators, and industry leaders working together,” he said.
Siew Hao Zhen, Head of Esports (Malaysia and Emerging Markets) at MOONTON Games, noted the importance of MLBB in inspiring youth and uniting communities.
“Seven in ten parents now support their children pursuing esports professionally. This shows that gaming is no longer just a hobby—it’s a viable career sector,” he shared.
Commercial Growth Strengthens MLBB Esports in Malaysia
Season 16 also marked a surge in brand partnerships and audience engagement. According to Niko Partners’ Gamer Behavior Reports, Malaysian gamers watch an average of 3.59 hours of esports content weekly.
MOONTON Games also announced a broadcast partnership with Redd+E, ensuring MPL Malaysia and M7 reach even wider audiences across Southeast Asia.
A Blueprint for Malaysia’s Esports Future
The bulletin outlines several recommendations to support sustainable growth:
Policy and Education
- Build deeper government–industry collaborations
- Integrate esports literacy and healthy gaming practices in schools
- Develop professional pathways for educators in game-related subjects
Access and Opportunities
- Expand grassroots esports initiatives nationwide
- Bring MLBB events to more regions
- Strengthen career pathways from amateur play to professional esports
As MLBB continues to lead as Malaysia’s top esports title, the industry now stands at a pivotal moment—one where community support, parental acceptance, and government investment align toward a shared goal: building a thriving, future-ready esports ecosystem.
