ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Network School in Forest City has ceased operations, with one of its buildings sealed off following the revocation of NSO Malaysia Sdn Bhd's business licence by the Iskandar Puteri City Council.
The council’s enforcement officers arrived at the premises around 11.40am on Wednesday (July 22), inspecting the site before sealing an entrance and affixing an official closure notice. The school’s main signboard had already been removed prior to their arrival.
Nearby, several foreigners, believed to be school participants, were seen packing luggage and saying goodbye in a hotel lobby. Outside the hotel, other signboards bearing the Network School name were covered up.
The enforcement action follows MBIP’s announcement on Tuesday (July 21) revoking NSO Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s business and advertising licences, ordering an immediate halt to all operations starting Wednesday.
According to the council, investigations revealed that the company, which operated a campus at Teluk Bintang on Pulau Satu, had violated licensing conditions and used the premises for unauthorised activities. Consequently, it was served a Stop Business Notice under the council’s Trade, Business, and Industrial Licensing By-Laws 2018. The council noted that the actual business activities on-site differed significantly from its approved office-use licence.
Founded by American tech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan, The Network School was established as a co-living and co-working "startup society" for digital nomads and remote workers, charging memberships starting at US$1,500 (RM6,135) a month.
The shutdown follows recent controversy, including allegations that surfaced on July 14 claiming Israeli nationals had participated in the programme using secondary passports.
