A DAP lawmaker has questioned whether the locally developed TuJu navigation app can match Waze and other global competitors, warning that a “reactionary ban” on the Israel-linked software could have detrimental consequences.

Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin’s remarks came after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that a total ban on Waze was being considered, pending an assessment of alternatives, including a homegrown navigation app.

The prime minister also acknowledged users’ frustrations with TuJu’s shortcomings, conceding that the local alternative might be slower but maintaining that data security concerns surrounding Waze took precedence.

In a statement today, Yeo questioned whether the Highway Authority (MHA), which jointly launched TuJu with Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd last year, had the capacity to compete with established navigation platforms.