The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) says it is still unable to trace 19 individuals linked to activities at Network School in Forest City, Johor.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the individuals are still in Malaysia or have left the country through illegal means.
According to Zakaria, immigration records identified 430 individuals associated with Network School. Of these, 210 are still in Malaysia, while 201 have officially exited the country.
“We have 19 individuals whose movements cannot be traced. They may have left the country illegally or entered illegally. We are conducting further investigations to determine whether they are still in Malaysia or have already left,” he told reporters after the 104th Immigration Day celebration on Tuesday.
Zakaria said the Immigration Department is working closely with other enforcement agencies, the Johor state government and local authorities in investigating the matter.
He added that immigration officers have conducted two inspections at the Network School premises and screened 379 foreign nationals, but found no evidence to support the allegations that had been circulating.
“So far, during the two inspections we carried out, we did not find any evidence to support the claims that have been made,” he said.
The Network School operation in Forest City drew public attention after the Johor government raised concerns over allegations that Israeli nationals had joined the programme using second-country passports.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi had previously urged the Home Ministry and relevant enforcement agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the programme.
The controversy began after social media posts claimed the project had attracted foreign entrepreneurs, including Israeli nationals, who allegedly entered Malaysia using passports issued by other countries.
