Malaysia bans civil servants from using Waze navigation app

The directive, which took effect immediately, prohibits civil servants from utilising Waze for navigation purposes while on official duties. Government authorities classified the application as a navigation tool developed and based in Israel, prompting the decision to restrict its use among the public service workforce.

The ban represents a broader policy stance regarding applications and services with connections to Israel. Malaysian government agencies have been instructed to enforce compliance with the directive across their respective departments and ministries.

Alternative navigation applications available to Malaysian users include locally-supported and internationally-recognised mapping services. The government has not specified alternative applications that civil servants should use in place of Waze, though several options remain accessible in Malaysia.

This action aligns with Malaysia's historical political positions regarding Middle Eastern affairs and reflects ongoing sensitivities concerning ties with Israeli entities and organisations. The restriction applies specifically to government employees during the performance of their official duties.