PETALING JAYA: Civil servants in Malaysia have been directed to stop using navigation app Waze immediately, according to a new circular issued by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Dated Oct 20, the circular stated that the decision was made following the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN) meeting on the same day, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
All ministry secretaries-general and heads of departments must ensure the decision is communicated to all officers under their supervision, including those in their respective agencies and departments, for immediate implementation.
The circular stated that any inquiries or requests for clarification on the directive should be directed to the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) under the National Security Council in the Prime Minister’s Department, which is responsible for coordinating the matter.
When contacted, Nacsa chief executive Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin confirmed the authenticity of the circular, which has been circulating on social media.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Anwar said the meeting had looked into information security risks and the potential exposure of data on the public's movements through Waze, given that it is subject to Israeli government laws, he added.
The Prime Minister encouraged the use of TuJu, a local navigation app developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority, as an alternative.
