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The Network School, an educational initiative operating in Forest City, Johor, recently became the center of public scrutiny following viral allegations that it was hosting Israeli nationals as participants.

Credit: The Patriots Studios FB

Given Malaysia’s lack of formal diplomatic relations with Israel and strict immigration policies regarding its passport holders, the claims sparked intense public debate and prompted immediate government scrutiny.

Aside from the nationality of its attendees, the controversy triggered wider questions regarding the institution’s regulatory compliance.

Critics and onlookers raised concerns over whether the school was operating with the appropriate business licenses, valid local government permits, and proper immigration clearances for its foreign staff and participants.

In response to the growing public anxiety, federal and state authorities launched comprehensive investigations to verify the commune’s legal standing.

Digital Minister Advocates Action Against Network School

Credit: Gobind Singh Deo FB

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has emphasized that any breach of the law or licensing protocols involving the Network School must be thoroughly investigated, promising swift action if any wrongdoing is uncovered.

“If there are complaints, investigate them. I am firm on this. If investigations find any wrongdoing, action must be taken in accordance with the law,” Gobind stated during a press conference on today, following his visit to landslide sites at Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara and Kampung Chempaka.

Addressing the division of regulatory oversight, Gobind explained that the commune’s business license and physical premises fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Johor state government. Meanwhile, matters concerning foreign workers, visas, and immigration fall under the purview of the Home Ministry.

The Minister clarified that the Network School has been established in Johor since 2024 and has operated with the full knowledge of the state government. He reiterated that all initial applications concerning its setup were processed through the appropriate legal channels.

“We in the Digital Ministry have conducted checks and found that all the applications are in order. The Immigration Department has also carried out further checks recently and confirmed that all the applications complied with the required procedures,” Gobind said.

While the initial uproar was fueled by allegations of Israeli participation, subsequent checks by the Immigration Department yielded no evidence of Israeli passport holders present at the premises, signaling that the institution had complied with national immigration laws.

READ MORE: Israelis At Forest City? Malaysia Investigates How They May Have Slipped Through

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