KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Lawmakers have called on the government to clarify its decision to ban civil servants from using navigation app Waze over its alleged links to Israel, questioning the rationale for the restriction and whether other applications pose similar data security risks.

During the debate on Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub) questioned whether the restriction extends to civil servants’ personal phones and their use of the app outside working hours.

He also questioned why Waze would be prohibited over its alleged links to Israel while other US-based applications, including Google Maps, Instagram and WhatsApp, remain accessible.

“If the government is concerned about location data being exposed to companies and the Israeli government, will it also ban US applications such as Google Maps, Instagram and WhatsApp?” he asked.

Chow noted that Waze has been owned by Google since 2013 and questioned the difference in data security risks between Waze and Google Maps, which share the same parent company.

He urged the government to explain the basis of its risk assessment and the effectiveness of the reported restriction.

Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching) also called for a detailed explanation of the decision, questioning whether other widely used applications could pose similar data security risks given their links to companies or individuals of Jewish origin.

“I’m not disputing the possibility of security risks, but I think a detailed explanation should be provided, as many people are now questioning this decision. Why was this decision made, and are they themselves exposed to these risks?” he said.

Separately, Afnan Hamimi (PN-Alor Setar) said that if Waze posed a security threat because it was based in Israel, the government should consider prohibiting its use throughout Malaysia rather than restricting the ban to civil servants.

“If Waze is dangerous, do not allow it into Malaysia. Everyone should be prohibited from using it, not just civil servants,” he said, describing the issue as a digital threat affecting the country without the public’s awareness.

Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim decided to prohibit all civil servants from using Waze to protect government information and users’ personal data from potential misuse by the Israeli regime.

The decision by the prime minister takes into account Waze Mobile Ltd’s status as a data controller incorporated and operating under Israeli law, it said in a statement.

Anwar also urged Malaysians to stop using Waze and switch to local alternatives such as TuJu, citing assurances on data security and personal data protection.

TuJu is a local highway navigation and traffic application developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority in collaboration with Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd. The app was launched less than a year ago.

According to Prosignal Consortium’s official website, the Cyberjaya-based company was incorporated in 2021 and focuses on smart data technology and infrastructure integration.

The company’s chairman is Datuk Muhammed Abdullah, the Undang of Johol, one of Negeri Sembilan’s four territorial chieftains. Its deputy chairman and managing director is Mohd Edzreen Mohd Din.

Other prominent figures on the board include Selat Klang state assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, who serves as an executive director, and former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, who is a non-executive director.

Read also:
Govt bans Waze use among all civil servants over fears of data misuse by Israeli regime — PM
Malaysian civil servants banned from using Waze with immediate effect

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