KUALA LUMPUR: The government will work with local navigation platforms TuJu and Pintaz to strengthen their services as part of its wider GovTech push to improve digital public services, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
Gobind said the government recognised public feedback that TuJu needed further improvement, adding that efforts were under way to expand its capabilities beyond its current focus on highways.
“We will look at how we can work with the relevant parties, particularly TuJu, Pintaz and others. We want to build better apps and strengthen the services already available,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 22).
He was responding to Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, who said she had downloaded TuJu but found the app disappointing, adding that public feedback showed it was not yet fully ready for use as an alternative to Waze.
Gobind said TuJu was developed through cooperation between the Malaysian Highway Authority and the Works Ministry primarily to provide information on traffic flow along highways, toll plazas, rest and service areas, as well as CCTV footage of congestion.
However, he said the app was being expanded to provide wider coverage beyond highways, including traffic information on routes leading to major expressways.
“I agree with Bentong that many have said the service needs to be strengthened further. That is something under our attention,” he said.
Gobind stressed that the government had not required the public to use TuJu as the sole alternative to Waze.
He said the restriction on Waze applied only to civil servants carrying out official duties, and did not extend to the public.
Other navigation apps, including Google Maps, could still be used, he added.
The restriction was imposed because of concerns involving data security and the app’s legal terms, which Gobind said placed matters under Israeli jurisdiction.
