Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi called on the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, police, and Customs Department to investigate the identities and nationalities of individuals involved with Network School in Forest City after allegations surfaced that Israeli citizens barred from Malaysia may have entered using second passports and joined the community [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. "I ask the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, police and Customs Department to investigate the identities and nationalities of those involved in Network School," he said [1].
The Network School is a co-living and co-working community located in Forest City, targeting entrepreneurs, remote workers, AI developers, and digital creators, charging participants about 1,500 USD (approximately 6,120 MYR) monthly [2, 4, 5].
Following the allegations, the Home Ministry along with the Immigration Department, police, and Customs Department launched a comprehensive investigation to verify the identities, nationalities, travel documents, immigration passes, entry purposes, and compliance with immigration rules of Network School participants [2, 3, 6, 7]. The Johor government emphasized that no organisation would be allowed to use the state as a base to spread ideologies or activities contravening Malaysian law, sovereignty, or state interests [1, 2, 4, 5, 8].
In October 2025, Israeli vlogger Nuseir Yassin, known as Nas Daily, filmed a promotional video for Network School in Forest City, which sparked public controversy and was subsequently removed [2, 3].
Pas lawmakers raised concerns over national sovereignty, data security, and the alleged Israeli links, calling for a special parliamentary debate to demand the federal government explain beyond the Johor state level [9]. Pas MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman questioned, "The Federal Government must also state its official position... The government must clarify whether the relevant agencies had conducted comprehensive security vetting, verified the school's beneficial ownership, and assessed possible conflicts with Malaysia's foreign policy towards Israel" [9].
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that if the investigations confirm Israeli nationals illegally entered Malaysia using second passports to participate in Network School activities, they will be deported. "We do not allow such a situation to happen. If it is true, the authorities must take action. If it involves Israeli citizens, since we do not recognize them, they will be deported," he said on July 15 [10, 11].
Forest City developer Country Garden Pacificview (CGPV) pledged full cooperation with all government investigations and supported Johor's position of zero tolerance for activities threatening state sovereignty. "Forest City will cooperate fully with the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, police, Customs, local governments and other agencies in any investigations... We have zero tolerance for illegal activities or misuse of immigration facilities," the company said [8].
Umno Youth secretary Muhammad Hafiz urged the federal government and Digital Ministry to clarify if Israeli involvement or third-party facilitation occurred in Network School. He expressed fears of Zionist ideology infiltration [12].
Pas MPs have submitted a motion to hold a special debate in the Dewan Rakyat on Network School issues concerning sovereignty and data security [9]. Investigations by the authorities remain ongoing.
