Credit : Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's X
KUALA LUMPUR, October 21 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has banned all civil servants from using the Waze navigation app to protect government information and users’ personal data from possible misuse by Israel, and has urged all Malaysians to stop using the app and switch to local alternatives such as TuJu.
In a media statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) shared on his X account on Wednesday evening, Anwar said the decision was made “to protect government information and users’ personal data from the threat of misuse by the Israeli regime.”
“This decision takes into account the position of Waze Mobile Ltd. as the controller of user data, which is incorporated and operates under Israeli law,” the statement said.
“Sensitive government information and the personal data of the people must be protected from being exploited by the Israeli regime in ways that undermine the security and sovereignty of the nation,” it added.
The PMO said the Prime Minister also advised all Malaysians to stop using Waze and move to local alternatives such as TuJu, “taking into account the security guarantees and personal data protection offered.” “The MADANI Government’s stance is firm, and we will close any space that could be exploited by the Israeli regime to threaten the security of the nation and the people,” the statement said.
The ban formalises a decision of the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN) at its Meeting No. 3 of 2026, which Anwar chaired on October 20. In a letter dated October 20, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the ban takes effect immediately and directed all secretaries-general and heads of department to ensure the decision is conveyed to officers under their supervision, Bernama reported. The letter was addressed to ministry secretaries-general, heads of federal departments and statutory bodies, state secretaries and heads of local authorities, with queries to be directed to the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) under the National Security Council.
After chairing the JKSN meeting on Tuesday, Anwar said the committee had examined the risks to information security and data on the people’s movements arising from the use of Waze, which he said was bound by the laws of the Israeli government, and encouraged the use of TuJu as an alternative. “We cannot compromise on the security of the people’s data and identity,” he said at the time.
Waze was founded in Israel in 2008 and acquired by Google in 2013 for just over US$1 billion, according to Reuters. The app uses satellite signals and crowd-sourced data from drivers to provide real-time traffic information. According to its privacy policy, it remains operated by Tel Aviv-based Waze Mobile, The Straits Times reported. Earlier this month, the Malaysia Cyber Consumers Association urged the authorities to review the app’s use, pointing to terms of use that name Waze Mobile Ltd, incorporated under Israeli law, as the service provider and place disputes under the jurisdiction of courts in Tel Aviv. Muslim-majority Malaysia does not recognise Israel, has no diplomatic relations with it and is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.
TuJu was developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) with Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd and launched by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi on November 26, 2025. Available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, it offers route guidance, travel distance and estimated arrival times, real-time toll and traffic information, details of rest and service areas, live CCTV feeds and emergency assistance. The Straits Times noted that the app has had a rocky start, with some users complaining of crashes, inaccurate information and missing features such as support for in-car infotainment systems.
Source : Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s X (https://x.com/anwaribrahim/status/2112834692164583663)
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