Network School Founder Says Immigration Probe at Tech Commune Is a Risk to Malaysia's Tech Ambitions
Balaji Srinivasan said $500 million in planned investment is on hold after officials checked 266 foreigners and found all travel documents valid.
- Investor Balaji Srinivasan requested a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after immigration officers raided his Network School in Forest City on July 14, following unfounded social media claims regarding resident documentation.
- Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban confirmed officers inspected 266 foreigners from 40 countries, finding all travel documents in order and refuting anonymous social media allegations that the school harbored illegal aliens.
- Suspending US$500 million in planned investment, Srinivasan stated that future commitments depend on receiving "sufficient assurance that such issues won't recur," while noting he has already invested more than RM100 million in Malaysia.
- While officials described the checks as routine, Srinivasan remarked that "the process is the punishment," warning the incident threatens Malaysia's aspirations to become a top 20 global technology hub.
- The Network School, a prototype of Srinivasan's "network state" theory, remains in Forest City, but future capital allocation for "billion dollar funds and trillion dollar companies" depends on the government's response to his request.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Network School founder says immigration probe at tech commune is a risk to Malaysia's tech ambitions
KUALA LUMPUR — US investor Balaji Srinivasan said an immigration check at a "digital nomad" community in Malaysia based on anonymous social media claims of law violations that proved unfounded could be a risk to Malaysia's plans to be a global tech hub.On Wednesday, the Immigration Department said its inspections had found that members of the Network School had valid...
Network School founder says Malaysia immigration probe risks its tech ambitions
Balaji Srinivasan built Network School as a working prototype of the “network state,” his theory that an internet country of engineers and founders can eventually do the work of a real one. This week a real one reminded him who still holds the passports. The former Coinbase chief technology officer and Andreessen Horowitz partner said on 15 […] This story continues at The Next Web
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
