By M.Krishnamoorthy
A former Associate Professor, author, media coach, and journalist
Was PMX Anwar Ibrahim wrongly advised about TuJu? The Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) clarified that TuJu is not built to rival Waze.
Therefore, What? Where? When? How? Security Threat? Is this political rhetoric?
The DAP MP for Bagan Lim said that whoever convinced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that TuJu was technologically adequate should be punished. “Anwar has been wrongly advised on the matter.”
He urged Anwar to return to the drawing board and task the National Cyber Security Committee (NSC) with developing a vastly improved version of TuJu through open tender.
“TuJu is a ‘national embarrassment,’ and responsible parties must be held accountable. How can the NSC be expected to do its job to ward off evolving cyber threats, strengthen the nation’s preparedness and digital sovereignty when it cannot even fulfil users’ road navigation needs?” Lim asked.
While acknowledging support for protecting national security interests, Lim stressed that proper due diligence and stringent testing are necessary to ensure any replacement can match Waze’s basic navigation functions.
Anwar Ibrahim said the move followed concerns over security risks involving users' personal information and movement data when using Waze, which he said was subject to Israeli government laws.
Last Friday, Anwar apologised to members of the public who had problems using TuJu, after feedback said the app had shortcomings and needed improvement.
Meanwhile, Navigation app Waze rejected on Friday Malaysia's allegations that it could exploit users' personal data, after the country banned civil servants from using the app over its Israeli links.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the ban last Wednesday to "safeguard government information and users' personal data against the threat of misuse by the Israeli regime".
Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) chairperson Hasni Mohammad clarified that the TuJu navigation app was developed mainly to improve services along tolled highways, not to compete directly with Waze.
His explanation comes amid questions about the government’s promotion of TuJu as an alternative to Waze, after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on Malaysians to switch to the locally developed app over national security concerns. TuJu is not built to rival Waze. “It is not a navigation application like Waze."
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (https://helloimkrishna.com/) is a media coach, former Associate Professor, and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks, and The New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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