KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- The government's decision to prohibit the use of the navigation application Waze among civil servants is seen as a reflection of Malaysia’s firm commitment against the oppression by the Zionist regime in Gaza, while also safeguarding data security and the nation’s strategic interests.
Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM) chief executive officer, Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman, said this move reflects Malaysia’s stance against the oppression of the Palestinian people and should be extended to other products and services linked to Israel.
“This is an excellent step, demonstrating our commitment regarding the situation unfolding in Gaza, as well as our rejection of Israel and products originating from the illegal state of Israel.
“Furthermore, this measure needs to be more comprehensive, ensuring that such products are effectively neutralised and find no foothold whatsoever in the Malaysian market,” he said when contacted today.
Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri also suggested that the government intensify diplomatic efforts to promote restrictions on the movement of Israeli citizens, including individuals who hold dual citizenship.
He noted that Malaysia is strategically positioned as an apolitical, middle-ground power to serve as an effective mediator and negotiator on the international stage, pushing for collective regional action.
Meanwhile, the president of the Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations of Malaysia (MAPIM), Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, said the ban should be viewed as part of efforts to safeguard cybersecurity and the nation’s strategic interests, while ensuring that the use of digital technology aligns with moral responsibilities and Malaysia’s foreign policy.
He explained that digital applications are not merely tools for daily convenience; they have the potential to collect data on users' locations and movement patterns, and to process information that could have implications for the security of individuals, organisations, and the nation itself.
“The government needs to clarify the basis for the security assessment that led to this ban, so that the decision becomes part of a comprehensive digital security framework. This should also involve extending risk assessments to all digital applications and platforms used in official public service operations.
“If data security is the primary basis for the ban on Waze, then the same principle should be applied to all digital service providers regardless of their country of origin, brand, or commercial interests,” he said.
Earlier, the government decided to prohibit all civil servants from using the navigation application Waze, in order to protect government information and users' personal data from the threat of misuse by the Israeli regime.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this decision takes into account the status of Waze Mobile Ltd, the controller of user data which is incorporated and operates under Israeli law.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) has urged the government to strengthen solidarity with Palestine through ethical procurement, investment and business cooperation policies, including ending economic ties with companies proven to be involved in the genocide of the Palestinian people or to support Israel’s illegal occupation.
Its president, Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin, said the government, government-linked companies (GLCs), government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and the corporate sector wielded significant economic influence to ensure that the country’s business activities did not contribute to the oppression of the Palestinian people.
He said that, in line with the targeted approach of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, assessments of suppliers, companies receiving investments and business partners should be conducted based on verifiable evidence, including findings by credible international bodies.
“For companies proven to be involved, action should include halting new dealings, divesting investments and systematically terminating business ties, with clear targets and implementation timelines. Assessment criteria and progress should be announced periodically to ensure that implementation can be monitored,” he said.
Ahmad Fahmi also urged the Finance Ministry, together with the relevant ministries and agencies, to establish clear criteria for new business dealings and review existing ties with the companies concerned.
On the implementation of the Waze ban, he said clear and consistent guidelines should be disseminated to all ministries and departments, including those concerning the use of official and personal devices, while ensuring that alternative navigation applications were secure and accurate and did not disrupt the smooth delivery of public services.
-- BERNAMA