This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 26, 2026 - November 1, 2026

What use is a navigation app that cannot navigate? That is the predicament Putrajaya has found itself in following the abrupt Waze ban for civil servants and its promotion of local alternative TuJu.

Overwhelmed by new users, TuJu’s navigation function faltered. Its operator now targets Nov 6 for restoration — more than two weeks after the ban took effect.

What are civil servants expected to use in the meantime? Google Maps and other apps remain permitted, but why promote TuJu as an alternative before ensuring its core function worked?

Was the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), which developed TuJu with Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd, warned of the decision and given time to prepare? If not, what justified such haste?

There is also confusion over the scope of the ban. Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo said it applies to only official duties. Yet the National Cyber Security Agency’s (Nacsa) FAQ says civil servants cannot use Waze even for personal journeys outside working hours. Which directive prevails?

Nacsa cites potential exposure of movement data because Waze’s data controller is subject to Israeli law, but acknowledges no evidence of the movement-pattern analysis it is warning of. Was an imminent threat identified?

The government’s distinction also warrants scrutiny. Waze has belonged to Google since 2013, and TuJu itself uses Google’s mapping data. Google supplies cloud services to Israeli government agencies under Project Nimbus and has also provided services to its defence ministry. Where does Putrajaya draw the line?

And why must TuJu users sign in merely to obtain directions? What safeguards protect the personal and location data collected?

National security must not be taken lightly. Neither should the responsibility to explain an immediate ban, issue consistent directives and ensure the recommended substitute can actually function as intended.

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