Anwar explains Waze review, says Malaysia cannot ignore security risks

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim explained the government's review of the Waze navigation application, stating that national security and sovereignty concerns were taken into account. Anwar, who is also chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), clarified that the restriction was not intended to impose a blanket ban on Waze, but rather to address the risks associated with monitoring the movements of government officers, particularly those involved in national security matters.

He explained that the issue went beyond the Waze application itself, as it involved a company headquartered in Israel, and potential disputes over legal jurisdiction. Anwar emphasized the importance of considering the government's stance on Israel's actions and the country's interests. He also acknowledged the shortcomings of alternative navigation applications, such as TuJu, and expressed his commitment to improving the implementation of measures related to Waze.

The government must ensure that any measures taken do not compromise Malaysia’s position on Israel or undermine the country's interests, Anwar said. Regarding the cost of living, Anwar assured that the government would not raise the price of RON95 petrol, absorbing the higher costs to protect the public from the burden of a petrol price hike.