Malaysia bans civil servants from using Israeli-owned navigation app

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has decided to prohibit all civil servants from using Waze, an Israeli-made navigation app, to protect government information and users’ personal data from the threat of misuse by the Israeli regime.

In a statement cited in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the decision was taken on the grounds that Waze Mobile Ltd. was established and operates under Israeli laws and regulations.

According to the statement, sensitive government information and the public’s personal data must be protected from being exploited by Israel in ways that could threaten national security and sovereignty.

At the same time, Anwar Ibrahim was reported to have urged the wider public in Malaysia to stop using Waze and switch to local alternatives such as TuJu, citing the security assurances and personal-data protections they offer.

“The MADANI Government’s position is firm, and we will close every loophole that could be exploited by the Israeli regime to threaten the security of the country and its people,” the PMO said.