Moonton Apologizes to PBESI for Hosting MPL Indonesia Without Permission

Moonton, the Chinese developer and tournament organizer behind the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL), issued a formal apology to the Pengurus Besar Esports Indonesia (PBESI) in early 2023. The statement addressed the company’s failure to secure the necessary permissions and recommendations from the Indonesian government body prior to hosting the tenth season of the MPL Indonesia tournament, which concluded in October 2022.

The primary objective of the apology was to rectify regulatory non-compliance and reaffirm the company’s commitment to local oversight. In its public statement, Moonton explicitly recognized PBESI as the sole government-sanctioned "Esports Parent Organization" in Indonesia. The developer pledged to adhere to all future policies and regulations established by the board regarding achievement sports and esports, aiming to maintain a cooperative relationship with the national governing body.

While the violation specifically concerned the tenth season of the MPL, the company clarified that other major events, such as the M4 World Championship held in Jakarta, were not subject to this oversight failure. Despite the public nature of the apology, the specific timing of the announcement—issued shortly before the start of the eleventh season—remains unclear. The upcoming season is slated to proceed with a prize pool of $300,000 USD, signaling that the developer intends to continue its operations within the region under full compliance with local regulatory frameworks.