The controversy surrounding the government’s ban on civil servants using Waze has intensified as its recommended local alternative, TuJu, faces heavy criticism from the public.
DAP Adviser and former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has spoken out firmly, urging the Federal Government to be transparent about the approval process of the app and to conduct an open tender for a new local road navigation app to replace the failed TuJu platform.
Lim Guan Eng calls TuJu a failure and demands transparency
In a statements on Facebook on 22 October, im Guan Eng labeled the TuJu navigation app, co-developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd (PCSB), a major failure that has brought embarrassment to the nation.
Despite being under development for four years since 2022, the app has been plagued by severe technical glitches, rendering it virtually unusable and turning it into a widespread target of internet memes mocking the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government must come clean on the cost, open tender process, and who approved the TuJu road navigation application. Questions arise as to how the Prime Minister could be misled into recommending TuJu, when the application is at best flawed, and at worst completely unusable.” he said.
He further questioned the background and capability of the developer, PCSB, noting that a check on its board of directors revealed a lack of proven track records or expertise in software engineering and navigation app development.
Call for open tenders and leveraging local tech grants
Guan Eng urged the government on a separate Facebook post not to rush into recommending another alternative app until it is thoroughly tested, proven, and reliable.
He expressed strong confidence that many talented young Malaysian developers could build a far superior navigation application if given fair opportunities, adequate funding, and a transparent competitive bidding process.
He also said the local application had failed miserably and questioned why PCSB the private company behind TuJu, was approved without an open tender.
“Even Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim has not been spared from public scrutiny questioning its developer, ownership, links to former public officials, why there was no open tender and how it secured the project.
“I have faith that there are many talented young Malaysians who can do a better job in designing a road navigation application better than TuJu, provided they are given the right opportunity, adequate funding and free competitive bidding,” he said in the statement.
To support local tech talents, Guan Eng highlighted existing government funding mechanisms that developers can tap into to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) without sacrificing equity:
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CIP SPARK (Cradle Fund): Up to RM150,000 conditional grant for early-stage prototypes.
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Cradle Fund: Up to RM600,000 conditional convertible grant for commercialisation.
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Malaysia Digital Catalyst Grant (MDEC): Up to RM1,000,000 for disruptive tech solutions.
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Malaysia Digital Acceleration Grant (MDEC): Up to RM2,000,000 for expanding digital capabilities.
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Cradle Elevate & Digital Content Grants: Ranging from RM300,000 to RM2,000,000 to bridge startups transitioning from early validation to growth.
Guan Eng stressed the importance of full disclosure regarding the project’s financial details and tender process, insisting that transparency is vital for public accountability.
“In the public interest and to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency, the government must come clean so that the spirit of reform is preserved,” he urged.
What are your thoughts on the TuJu navigation app? Do you think the government should hold an open tender for local tech developers? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: Waze Denies Security Risks & Collecting Sensitive Government Data After M’sian Civil Servants Ban
