PAS lawmaker calls for nationwide Waze ban, questions government directive

Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, a PAS representative, has questioned the rationale behind government instructions limiting public sector employees' use of Waze, urging authorities to either explain their position or implement a comprehensive ban across Malaysia.

The lawmaker's intervention comes as concerns over the navigation application's security and data privacy implications continue to surface among certain quarters of Malaysian officialdom. The restriction on Waze usage among civil servants has raised questions about transparency and consistency in government policy.

PAS has taken a hardline stance, suggesting that a partial measure affecting only government workers may be insufficient. The party contends that if Waze poses genuine security risks warranting restrictions for public servants, the government should clarify these concerns to the public.

The controversy highlights broader debates within Malaysian governance regarding the regulation of foreign technology platforms and their impact on national security. Officials have yet to provide a comprehensive public statement addressing the PAS lawmaker's demands for clarity on the policy's underlying justifications.

The issue underscores growing scrutiny of data collection practices by international applications operating in Malaysia, particularly those involving location tracking and user information.