Subject: A Malaysian's response to cheating...
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 23:43:16 +1000
From: Roy Ho Yew Kee <s005490@student.uq.edu.au>
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com

Hello all.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate a certain Ms. Christina Phang for
such an honest and detailed report on the current state of affairs in
the Malaysian Magic scene. I can truly emphatise with her situation and
what she is feeling now, as I am very aware and familiar with the
people, places and shops involved. What I didn't know was the extent in
which such corruption and collusion was taking place.

I have been away from the country for a year, occasionally only going
back to Kuala Lumpur during my summer holidays. Now that I've graduated,
I expect to frequent back more often (barring of course that I find that
dream job here in Brisbane).

What I want to know is why does that particular shop (Double C, as Ms.
Phang puts it) has sole claim to hosting DCI sanctioned events? I played
in a Penang tournament last December, and I don't think it was hosted by
that particular shop, but rather by a rival shop (if I'm correct it was
Games Castle, Penang).

Therefore, if they could hold a DCI sanctioned event then, why not now?

If it is because somehow by some manipulated state of affairs, Double C
has acquired a monopoly on all DCI sanctioned events, then I suggest
certain experienced players and other shops in the country write to DCI
and offer their services as organisers to compete with this monopoly. It
is highly irregular and not acceptable for one particular body to have a
sole monopoly over such events. It restricts public interest in the game
and allows cheating and collusion at a highest level.

It's sad to say that certain good players I know did not make it for
APAC in Tokyo. I feel that DCI should take special interest in this
incident as it is essential that the Magic scene in Malaysia be kept
alive as long as possible. We have some really good players there, and
it is such a waste if such incidents prevents them from putting on a
decent show and be recognized on the world stage.

I would suggest instead of appealing to the masses as Ms.Phang has done
in placing an article on The Dojo, that the people involved should write
directly to the appropriate authorities.

If such cheating is taking place, and if the swiss pairings are so
manipulated that a person with 2 wins plays a person with 1 win and 1
loss so that they can knock each other out and thus allowing "the inside
team" to progress forward, then I must say that I do not look forward to
playing in such an environment.

I'm not siding on anyone here. I just felt the need to respond and give
my two  mana's worth as it concerns my country and the people I know
(G'day Michael Toh...how you doing..*grin*). Basically, the gist of my
message is that I do not think it is fair that one shop has a sole
monopoly on the DCI sanctioned tournaments in the whole country.

It would be nice for DCI to step in and take into account of the
complaints raised by those invovled.

I look forward to playing in Kuala Lumpur soon.

Roy Ho Yew Kee
(s005490@student.uq.edu.au)