AMPANG: The government has not ruled out a complete ban on the use of navigation app Waze in Malaysia, pending a review of alternatives, including locally developed applications, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the government would assess whether local capabilities could support the development of a reliable alternative to Waze.
READ MORE: Malaysia will not compromise on national security risks linked to Waze – MKN
“The issue is not a problem on our part. When I received the information, we looked into it. Firstly, Waze is headquartered in Israel.
“Secondly, its terms of use stipulate that only Israeli law applies, with no other country’s laws governing the application,” Anwar told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Mustaqim in Taman Nirwana here today.
He said his decision to act swiftly on the matter was driven by national security concerns, adding that the government could not afford to compromise the safety of the people and the country.
“Once you use Waze, it automatically means you are handing over all information to Israel.
“Therefore, we must not make a mistake, and the government will not compromise on national sovereignty and security,” he said, adding that the matter could not be delayed even for a day.
Earlier, the government directed civil servants to stop using Waze with immediate effect, warning that non-compliance could result in disciplinary action.
National Security Council director-general Datuk Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin said department heads were responsible for ensuring compliance with the circular issued by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
The government will take a more gradual approach towards the public, focusing on raising awareness of potential security risks rather than imposing an immediate blanket ban.