LSN News › Malaysia

Politics · Malaysia Bureau

Seek expert advice before banning Waze, DAP politician urges

A Democratic Action Party figure has called on the government to consult with specialists before moving to ban the popular navigation app, questioning the rationale for such a move.

LSN Malaysia · 24 October 2026

Seek expert advice before banning Waze, DAP politician urges

The DAP representative argued that a complete ban on Waze lacks sufficient justification, pointing to the approach taken by other nations in the region. He noted that countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have not implemented outright prohibitions on the application despite similar concerns that may have been raised.

The former minister stressed the importance of gathering expert input before making policy decisions that could affect the millions of Malaysian users who rely on the navigation service. His intervention comes amid ongoing discussions about the app's regulation and potential restrictions.

The call for consultation underscores broader questions about how authorities should balance security and safety concerns with the practical benefits that digital applications provide to the public. The DAP politician's position suggests that alternatives to a complete ban may be worth exploring through informed dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

Waze continues to be widely used in Malaysia as a real-time traffic and navigation tool, with significant adoption among commuters and commercial drivers. The debate over its status reflects wider considerations about app regulation and governance in the digital economy.