DAP’s Yeo warns nationwide Waze ban could disrupt logistics and gig economy

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The DAP national publicity secretary Yeo Bee Yin has voiced alarm over the prospect of a nationwide ban on the Waze navigation application. Warning of potential disruptions to daily commutes, logistics, and gig-economy livelihoods for the six million active Malaysian motorists, she cautioned against an impulsive decision.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had stated that the government has not ruled out a total ban once alternative domestic navigation apps become viable. Yeo emphasized that such a policy move should not be made hastily, as it directly affects a large number of motorists who rely on real-time navigation for their daily routines and jobs.

The prime minister's remarks stemmed from a circular issued on Wednesday, which barred all civil servants from using Waze due to concerns over potential data harvesting by the Israeli regime. Despite Waze refuting these allegations, the government remains concerned. Anwar apologized for the public inconvenience while insisting on national security as the top priority.

Yeo argued that before proceeding with a ban, Putrajaya must address crucial technical and geopolitical issues. She questioned why other Gulf Cooperation Council states permit Waze use, while also enforcing strict national security laws. Yeo pressed for discussions on data sovereignty, asking if the government has considered technical safeguards by engaging with Waze's US parent company, Alphabet, to ensure local data residency.

She also doubted the capability of the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) to effectively build and maintain a crowd-sourced navigation system compared to established global technology firms. Yeo warned that a reactionary ban could cause unnecessary disruption, economic harm to the gig economy, and damage to Malaysia's digital reputation.

She urged the National Security Council to consult industry experts and engage stakeholders transparently before deciding on the next steps.