ISKANDAR PUTERI, Malaysia — The Network School, a technology-focused co-living and co-working community located in Forest City, Johor, has ceased operations following the revocation of its business licence by the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP).

On July 21, MBIP announced it had cancelled the licence of NSO Malaysia, the company operating the Network School, and ordered it to halt all business activities effective July 22. Subsequent inspections on the morning of July 22 revealed a temporary closure notice affixed to the main entrance of the premises, while signage bearing the Network School name had been removed or obscured throughout the site.

MBIP cited investigations that uncovered non-compliance with licensing terms and a failure to adhere to the approved use of the facility, prompting enforcement action under the council’s Trade, Business and Industrial Licensing By-Laws 2018. In addition to the business licence cancellation, NSO Malaysia’s advertising licence was also revoked after authorities found discrepancies between the business activities conducted and those authorized under its office-use classification.

The Network School was marketed as a start-up society and tech commune catering to digital nomads, remote workers, and other professionals, offering memberships starting at US$1,500 (approximately S$1,940) per month. Founded by American entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan, the organization aimed to create a collaborative environment combining co-working and co-living arrangements in a single location.

The licence revocation follows reports surfaced on July 14 indicating that individuals identified as Israeli nationals had participated in the Network School’s programmes while using passports from other countries. The presence of these participants became a subject of scrutiny amid broader sensitivities surrounding their involvement. Authorities had been investigating the matter in conjunction with compliance checks on the operator’s business conduct.

NSO Malaysia’s Teluk Bintang campus on Pulau Satu appears to be affected by the council’s directive, with all operations ordered to cease. MBIP’s enforcement measures reflect the municipal authority’s adherence to regulatory standards concerning licensing and zoning for commercial establishments in the Iskandar Puteri area.

At this stage, the Network School’s future operations in Johor remain uncertain as the company addresses the council’s legal and administrative actions.