PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants have been directed to stop using navigation application Waze with immediate effect, following a decision by the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN).
The directive was issued by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar in an official notification dated Oct 20.
According to the notification, the decision was made during the committee’s third meeting of 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the same day.
READ MORE: Anwar raises data security concerns over Waze, urges Malaysians to consider local alternative
“The National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN) Bil 3/2026, which convened on Oct 20, 2026, and was chaired by the Prime Minister, decided on a ban on the use of the Israel-based Waze navigation application among members of the public service,” the notification stated.
Secretaries-general of ministries and heads of departments have been instructed to inform officers under their supervision and ensure the directive is enforced immediately.
All relevant government agencies and departments must comply with the order. Any requests for clarification regarding its implementation may be referred to the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), which operates under the Prime Minister’s Department and is responsible for coordinating the matter.
The move follows Anwar’s statement on Monday that the government was encouraging Malaysians to consider TuJu, a locally developed navigation application by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), as an alternative.
Anwar reportedly cited concerns over information security and the collection of Malaysians’ movement data, noting that Waze operates under Israeli laws.
The issue was among those discussed at the committee’s latest meeting, which also reviewed cyber threats and measures to strengthen Malaysia’s cybersecurity preparedness and digital sovereignty.