Network School, a US startup that operates a co-living community for founders and digital nomads, was ordered by Johor authorities to stop operating at its Forest City premises from July 22. The move came after the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) revoked its business license over licensing and premises-use violations.

The decision followed inspections and enforcement checks from Jul 12 to Jul 20.

It also came after scrutiny over claims that Israeli nationals were among Network School participants and had entered Malaysia using passports from other countries, though authorities said they had not found any travel document violations so far.

Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi backed MBIP’s decision and said the action followed verified complaints, inspections, findings of non-compliance, and completed legal processes.

He also asked the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, police, and other security agencies to continue investigating possible offences involving passport misuse, identity misrepresentation, or breaches of entry conditions.

Malaysia’s Immigration Department said 19 of 430 foreigners linked to Network School could not be located, while 210 remained in Malaysia and 201 had left.

Director-general Zakaria Shaaban said authorities had checked 379 foreigners at the school and, so far, had not found evidence of alleged wrongdoing or multiple-passport use.

🔗 Source: CNA