KUALA LUMPUR: The Government should explain why the restriction on Waze only applies to civil servants if the navigation app poses a security risk, says Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden.
He questioned why the restriction was not extended to the wider public if the app posed a genuine security threat.
“If Waze is dangerous, then do not allow it in Malaysia. Everyone should be prohibited from using it, not just civil servants,” he said during the Budget 2027 debate in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Oct 21).
His remarks came a day after the Government directed civil servants to stop using Waze with immediate effect, following a decision by the National Cyber Security Committee at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 20.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar issued the directive in a circular dated the same day.
Anwar had cited concerns over the security of Malaysians’ personal information and movement data, noting that Waze is subject to Israeli laws. He has also encouraged the public to use TuJu, a local navigation app developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority, as an alternative.
The MP also raised concerns about online gaming platforms such as Roblox, referring to reports alleging that extremist groups were using games to approach children and recruit potential members.
He acknowledged that he could not verify the information but warned that online interactions could allow strangers to befriend children before moving conversations to private chats, potentially exposing them to harmful influences.
The issue comes as the Government considers extending electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) and age-verification requirements to online gaming platforms, including Roblox.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said on Oct 19 that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission was studying the feasibility of such measures amid concerns about underage users and the possible misuse of gaming platforms by extremist, radical and terrorist groups.
The MP also called for stronger measures to improve school safety, saying security should not rely solely on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
He proposed audits of school layouts and facilities, including lighting, toilets and warden rooms, to identify areas that could put pupils at risk.
He also suggested introducing a colour-coded risk classification system to identify schools requiring greater attention, along with external audits to assess whether safety measures and maintenance work had improved conditions.
He said protecting children required attention to both their physical surroundings and the potential risks they faced online.
