Anwar says Malaysia will immediately deport any Israelis found in country amid Forest City Network School probe

JOHOR, MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will immediately deport any Israeli national found in the country if investigations confirm allegations that Israelis participated in a private residential community at Forest City in Johor.

Speaking on 15 July 2026, Anwar said the government would not compromise on the matter and had instructed the relevant authorities to investigate the claims thoroughly.

"The matter has been left to the relevant agencies, and I believe the Higher Education Minister will explain," Anwar told reporters during a community event.

"If any wrongdoing is found, action must be taken. If there are Israeli nationals involved, they will be deported immediately because Malaysia does not recognise Israel.

"We are investigating the matter, and we will not allow it."

Anwar reiterated that Malaysia does not recognise Israel and said appropriate action would follow should investigations establish any breach of Malaysian laws.

Malaysia has no diplomatic relations with Israel because of its longstanding pro-Palestine policy.

Israeli passport holders are generally barred from entering the country unless granted special permission by the Home Ministry.

However, Israeli citizens cannot automatically be prevented from entering Malaysia if they travel using passports issued by another country, which is not in itself unlawful.

Immigration authorities launch investigation

The Home Ministry announced on 14 July that it had launched a full investigation into the allegations and warned that strict action would be taken against any misuse of Malaysia's immigration facilities.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia subsequently confirmed it had inspected 266 foreign nationals from 40 countries at Forest City following allegations that the Network School programme involved Israeli participants.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation was conducted jointly with the Iskandar Puteri City Council, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the Johor State Secretary's Office and the Royal Malaysian Police.

"Initial checks found that all individuals inspected possessed valid immigration documents based on current records," Zakaria said in a statement.

He added that investigations were continuing to ensure full compliance with the Immigration Act 1959/63 and other relevant legislation.

Zakaria said all foreign nationals entering Malaysia undergo immigration screening based on travel documents, database checks and available enforcement records.

He added that authorities would continue investigating any information suggesting possible misuse of identities, travel documents, immigration facilities or breaches of immigration pass conditions.

The Immigration Department would also continue working closely with the Home Ministry and other agencies to comprehensively review all matters within their respective jurisdictions to safeguard national security, sovereignty and national interests.

To date, authorities have not announced any findings, and investigations remain ongoing.

Johor government seeks comprehensive probe

Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi earlier called for a comprehensive federal investigation into the Network School following allegations that Israeli nationals had participated in its programmes.

According to Onn Hafiz, Johor would not allow any party to use the state as a base for ideologies, movements or activities that contravened Malaysian law, national sovereignty or the state's interests.

He urged investigators to verify participants' identities and nationalities, examine their travel documents and investigate claims that some individuals may have entered Malaysia using passports issued by a second country.

Authorities have also been asked to determine the immigration passes used by participants, assess whether their declared purpose of entry matched their actual activities and examine whether the Network School required regulatory approval from the Higher Education Ministry, the Digital Ministry or other agencies.

Onn Hafiz said Johor viewed the matter seriously and would continue safeguarding the state's interests in accordance with the law.

Forest City developer pledges full cooperation

Forest City developer Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd said it fully supported the government's investigations and would cooperate with all enforcement agencies.

In a statement, the company said it would not permit its development to be used for any ideology, movement or activity that violated Malaysian law or threatened the sovereignty of Johor or Malaysia.

"Forest City is prepared to provide full cooperation to the Home Affairs Ministry, the Malaysian Immigration Department, the police, the Customs Department, local authorities and related agencies in any investigation," the company said.

The developer said it would provide all requested documents to facilitate investigations and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards breaches of the law, misuse of its premises, immigration violations or activities that could undermine public safety or national interests.

It added that it would exercise all legal and contractual rights should authorities determine that any laws or regulations had been breached.

Allegations focus on Network School

The investigation follows growing public attention after social media posts, including a video shared on Threads, questioned the purpose of the Network School's operations in Forest City.

The posts alleged that the technology-focused residential community included foreign participants, among them Israeli nationals who entered Malaysia using passports from second countries.

The Network School was established in Forest City, Gelang Patah, in 2024 by former Coinbase chief technology officer Balaji Srinivasan.

It describes itself as a "frontier community for techno-optimists" and operates as a residential community where technology founders, entrepreneurs and content creators live and work together while participating in workshops and collaborative activities.

Membership for its three-month programme starts at US$1,500 per month, covering accommodation, meals, co-working facilities and recreational amenities.

The programme has also been linked to Srinivasan's broader vision of developing a "network state", where technology communities could eventually evolve into internationally recognised jurisdictions.

 

 

 

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Broader concerns surrounding Forest City

Forest City has faced renewed scrutiny despite efforts to revitalise the large-scale development.

Originally launched in 2016 as a US$100 billion project intended to house 700,000 residents across four reclaimed islands by 2035, the development has encountered environmental concerns, changes to Malaysian residency policies, China's capital controls and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project received renewed momentum after being designated a Special Financial Zone in August 2023, offering tax incentives for companies and family offices.

Country Garden Pacificview announced in April 2026 that Forest City had become home to nine family offices, while Johor officials previously credited the arrival of international technology communities, including the Network School, with bringing new economic activity to the area.

Public concern nevertheless intensified after activists questioned the programme's operations, while lawmakers from both government and opposition parties sought parliamentary scrutiny.

Questions were also raised following the previous appearance of Israeli content creator Nuseir Yassin, widely known as Nas Daily, in promotional material linked to the Network School.