Anwar rejects US pressure over Malaysia’s Israeli entry ban as Network School shuts

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected criticism from eight US lawmakers over Malaysia’s decades-old policy of restricting Israeli nationals from entering the country, saying the government will not be pressured into changing its position.

Anwar said Malaysia was not violating international law by maintaining the policy, which he described as a longstanding national position rooted in opposition to Israel’s actions in Palestine and Gaza.

His remarks came after eight members of the US House of Representatives urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to clarify possible steps Washington might take in response to comments by the Malaysian prime minister.

The dispute comes as Malaysian authorities separately shut down Network School, a technology community operating at Forest City in Johor, following regulatory concerns and allegations involving the presence of Israeli dual nationals.

The authorities' action has left nearly 300 foreign participants uncertain about their next steps, according to local media.

Malaysia defends its longstanding policy

Speaking at an event in Seremban on Wednesday, Anwar rejected claims that Malaysia's policy towards Israeli nationals was contrary to international law or disrespectful to other countries.

“I would like to respond to the United States lawmakers, some of them at least, who stated categorically that Malaysia is in contravention of international laws and was disrespectful of the rights of nations,” he said.

Anwar argued that Malaysia’s policy was directed at Israeli citizens rather than Jewish people.

“This is totally absurd because, as far as we are concerned, this policy has been adopted by Malaysia for decades, that we are against the presence of any Israeli citizen, not Jews, but Israeli citizens here because they are part and parcel and complicit to the murders, crimes and continuous oppression, colonisation of Palestine and Gaza,” he said.

He also said the US lawmakers appeared to be unaware that other countries had imposed restrictions on Israeli nationals entering their territories.

“It turns out they have not followed the developments at all where many countries ban it (Israeli citizens from entering their country) and that Malaysia has banned it for decades,” he said.

Anwar said Malaysia was a sovereign country with the right to determine its own policies.

“Firstly, they must understand that this is an independent and sovereign nation, and our opposition to Israel is due to their tyranny, their colonisation, and their daily killings,” he said.

US lawmakers seek clarification from Rubio

The eight US lawmakers — Greg Landsman, Josh Gottheimer, Jimmy Panetta, Dan Goldman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jared Moskowitz, Brad Sherman and Jake Auchincloss — had earlier written jointly to Rubio.

Their letter called on the US Secretary of State to clarify what measures Washington might take following Anwar’s comments about Israeli dual citizens living in Malaysia.

The lawmakers referred to Malaysia’s receipt of US security assistance, including the International Military Education and Training programme, known as IMET.

The programme provides professional training for Malaysian military personnel.

The dispute follows remarks Anwar made on 15 July, when he said Malaysia would deport Israeli nationals holding dual citizenship if they were found living in the country.

His statement followed calls by the Johor government for authorities to investigate Network School, a technology community based at Forest City, after claims that Israeli dual nationals were residing there.

Anwar also rejected criticism of Malaysia’s engagement with Hamas.

He said he had explained the matter during a meeting with US President Donald Trump, adding that his meeting with a Hamas leader had been intended to express sympathy to families affected by bombings and killings.

Anwar said the issue should not damage Malaysia’s relationship with the US.

Malaysia, he said, continued to welcome American citizens, businesses and investment.

“We maintain good relations with the United States just as we do with other countries, but it is impossible for us to become so faint-hearted that we do not dare to condemn the excesses in terms of the killings of innocent people, including those in Palestine and Gaza,” he said.

Johor revokes Network School licence

The Johor government earlier confirmed its full support for the Iskandar Puteri City Council’s decision to revoke the business licence of NS0 Malaysia Sdn Bhd, also known as Network School.

The company was ordered to cease operations from 22 July.

Johor Chief Minister Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the decision followed verified complaints, inspections, findings of regulatory non-compliance and the completion of the legal process.

He stressed that no company was above Malaysian law and that a business operating for a long period did not guarantee continued compliance with regulations.

Onn Hafiz also raised concerns related to national security and immigration.

He called on enforcement agencies to investigate possible offences involving passports, identities and immigration matters.

He further called for a review of the company's Malaysia Digital status, stronger due diligence involving foreign investors and closer coordination between government agencies.

Immigration authorities trace 19 people

Federal authorities are continuing to investigate Network School’s operations at Forest City after the city council issued a Stop-Business Notice on 17 July.

The investigation is focused on the identities and immigration status of individuals connected to the organisation.

The probe follows allegations that some participants could be Israeli nationals.

The Home Ministry said firm action would be taken against anyone found to have breached immigration laws or threatened national security.

Anwar, meanwhile, said any Israeli nationals involved would be expelled from Malaysia.

Separately, the Immigration Department is tracing 19 of 430 foreign visitors connected to the investigation.

Of the 430 people, 210 remain in Malaysia while 201 have left the country.

Authorities said all individuals inspected had valid passports.

They also said there was no evidence so far of passport misuse or Israeli nationals being present at the facility.

Foreign participants left uncertain

According to local media outlet New Straits Times, nearly 300 foreign participants were left uncertain about their situation after local authorities sealed Network School’s premises.

Several foreign participants reportedly said they had received no explanation from the organisation’s management.

They were also instructed not to speak to the media.

NST reported that Network School’s promotional and business signboards had been removed from the premises.

Staff members were seen packing their belongings in the third-floor office, while public access to the floor was restricted.

A Canadian participant said students were still awaiting official guidance, while a couple from Canada and Norway said they would remain at their hotel until further notice, as they had valid visas and prepaid accommodation.

A New Zealand participant said she paid about US$1,500 monthly, including a three-month hotel deposit.

According to the NST, nearly 300 international participants were enrolled in the programme.

Founder announces Kazakhstan expansion

The closure in Johor was followed by an announcement from Network School founder Balaji Srinivasan that the organisation had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In a post on X, Srinivasan said the agreement would establish a new Network School campus.

He said the arrangement would include expedited visas, streamlined redomiciliation and active recruitment of talent.

Srinivasan has not publicly commented on the closure of the school’s Johor operations since that announcement.

His most recent post on X before the Kazakhstan announcement, published on 18 July, dismissed reports that the school was being shut down as “fake news”.

The post followed a raid on the start-up campus by authorities over claims that it was hosting foreigners, including Israelis, illegally.

Srinivasan said the company had received two notices.

The first required Network School to change the wording on a signboard.

The second stated that the organisation’s co-working space covered two adjoining units, but only the left-hand unit had a valid licence.

The company said it had been given time to rectify both issues and would do so soon.

It also said the notices did not affect its members.