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 (MBIP).
MBIP enforcement officers were seen inspecting the premises before sealing it off and putting up a closure notice at one of the entrances yesterday.
The signboard bearing the Network School name at the entrance had already been removed before the arrival of the enforcement officers.
At the lobby of a nearby hotel, several foreigners, believed to be Network School participants, were seen saying their goodbyes, with some hauling their luggage.
It is learnt that most of the participants will be returning to their respective countries, while some plan to remain in Malaysia as their visas are still valid.
Several other signboards bearing the Network School name outside the hotel have also been covered.
The enforcement action came after MBIP announced on Tuesday that it had revoked the business licence of NSO Malaysia Sdn Bhd and ordered the company to cease all operations starting yesterday.
The local authority said investigations found that the company had failed to comply with licensing conditions and the approved use of its premises, warranting enforcement action under existing by-laws.
MBIP said the company, which operates a campus at Teluk Bintang in Pulau Satu, had been served with a Stop Business Notice under the MBIP Trade, Business and Industrial Licensing By-Laws 2018.
The council also revoked the company’s advertising licence after discovering that the business activities carried out at the premises differed from those approved under its office-use licence.
On Tuesday, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi also expressed his support for the local council’s move, stressing that no investor, company or organisation can be placed above the sovereignty of the country’s laws.
He said the move was taken in accordance with existing legal provisions after authorities reviewed inspection reports, enforcement findings and representations submitted by the company.
The Mentri Besar also reiterated that the state government and local authorities would not compromise on any violations of the law or matters that could jeopardise national security, sovereignty or public interest.
The Network School is a co-living and co-working technology commune with memberships starting at US$1,500 (RM6,135) a month.
On July 14, allegations emerged that Israeli nationals had participated in the programme using passports issued by other countries.
Meanwhile, Network School said it plans to open a new campus in Kazakhstan.
In a post on X yesterday, Network School founder Balaji Srinivasan said the organisation had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Kazakhstan to establish the campus.
He said the new campus would serve as a hub for global technology talent, offering faster visa processing, relocation support and talent recruitment.
“I am pleased to announce that a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Network School.
“Our new campus will be a haven for the global technology-optimist community,” he said.
Kazakhstan news portal El.kz reported yesterday that the MOU was signed between the country’s Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Ministry and Network School.
The report said the agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Minister Zhaslan Madiyev and Srinivasan.
According to El.kz, the campus will offer artificial intelligence (AI) education programmes, conduct research, support technology start-ups and host international programmes for researchers.
It said the partnership also aims to attract engineers, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors to Kazakhstan while strengthening the country’s AI ecosystem.
The five-year agreement will also see both parties organise international conferences, forums and hackathons, and explore the possibility of hosting the Network State Conference in Kazakhstan in 2026.
In a separate Instagram post, Kazakhstan’s Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Ministry said the collaboration would also focus on joint research, AI education and attracting technology companies and foreign investment.
