The developer of Forest City, Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd, has officially pledged its full cooperation to Malaysian authorities following allegations that Israeli nationals participated in a private residential program known as the Network School. The controversy emerged after social media reports claimed that Israeli citizens may have used second-country passports to enter Malaysia, a country that does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and prohibits the entry of Israeli passport holders. In response, the developer stated it would provide all necessary documentation to assist the Home Affairs Ministry, the police, and the Immigration Department in their ongoing investigation.
The Network School, founded in 2024 by former Coinbase executive Balaji Srinivasan, operates as a co-living and co-working community for tech entrepreneurs and digital nomads. Following the public outcry, the Johor state government requested a federal probe to determine if the school’s activities align with local laws and national interests. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has since clarified that any Israeli nationals found to be involved in the program would face immediate deportation, emphasizing that Malaysia remains firm in its stance regarding national sovereignty and immigration compliance.
Authorities have already begun inspecting the facility, with the Immigration Department reporting that it has checked 266 foreign residents from 40 different countries at the site. While initial checks indicated that the residents held valid travel documents, officials have stated that comprehensive investigations into the identities, travel history, and the purpose of stay for all participants will continue. The developer has reiterated a zero-tolerance policy toward any misuse of its premises or violations of Malaysian law, promising to exercise its contractual rights if any wrongdoing is uncovered during the audit.
As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on whether the Network School complied with all licensing, land use, and immigration regulations. The Ministry of Higher Education has also clarified that the entity is not registered as a higher education institution, but rather functions as a private residential space. The public and stakeholders are now waiting for the final findings from the federal agencies to understand the full scope of the program's operations and whether any immigration protocols were bypassed.