Ah, Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School! It seems our dear school has been asked to pack its bags and leave Malaysia, much like a scandalous marquis caught in a boudoir. Now, it sets its sights on Kazakhstan, a land of steppes and expedited visas. Quelle surprise!
- Network School signed a Kazakhstan agreement after Malaysian authorities revoked its Forest City business licence, as if one’s permit were a mere trifle.
- Malaysia’s licensing dispute now overlaps with ongoing immigration scrutiny and possible loss of digital status-a veritable comedy of errors!
- Kazakhstan offers Network School a base with expedited visas and easier redomiciliation for global talent, for who would not flee to a land of promise?
On July 21, our hero Srinivasan announced a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan, promising a campus that would offer expedited visas, streamlined redomiciliation, and active recruitment of global talent. The agreement, he says, covers education, artificial intelligence, startups, research, and international technology events-a feast for the mind, if not for the stomach!
This move comes as Network School’s Forest City operation in Johor faces an order to stop activities, as if the authorities had suddenly developed a taste for regulation. The Iskandar Puteri City Council revoked the business licence of NSO Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the company behind the campus, with the order taking effect on July 22. Johor authorities said the decision followed a review of inspection reports, enforcement findings, and representations from the company-doubtless a thrilling read.
“I am pleased to announce that a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Network School. Our new campus will become a haven for global techno-optimism, with expedited visas, streamlined redomiciliation, and active recruitment of talent.”
– Balaji (@balajis) July 21, 2026
Meanwhile, the case also includes a separate immigration investigation. Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi has called for federal authorities to continue examining possible breaches, as if they had nothing better to do. However, Malaysian immigration officials previously said all 266 foreign residents inspected at the site held valid travel documents-a rare moment of sanity!
As crypto.news previously reported, Srinivasan had already paused a planned $122 million expansion in Malaysia while seeking written assurances from the government. He said Network School wanted greater legal certainty before committing more capital-a wise man, indeed, to demand a contract before signing away his fortune!
Kazakhstan offers Network School a new base
The Kazakhstan agreement gives Network School another location as the Malaysia dispute continues, like a lover taking a new mistress. Its official website now refers to community activities in Kazakhstan, although a detailed opening schedule for the new campus has not been publicly confirmed-details, details!
Srinivasan described the plan by saying, “Our new campus will become a haven for global techno-optimism, with expedited visas, streamlined redomiciliation, and active recruitment of talent.” The memorandum creates a framework for cooperation, while further operating details have yet to be announced-a masterpiece of vagueness!
Kazakhstan has also been expanding its technology and digital-asset policies. As crypto.news reported, the government has backed plans for Alatau City, a digital-first development designed to support blockchain technology, digital payments, and other technology projects-a veritable paradise for the digital age!
At the same time, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation said it would take action to revoke NSO Malaysia’s Malaysia Digital status following the cancellation of its business licence. Companies holding the designation must maintain required licences and comply with applicable regulations-what a bore!
Srinivasan has disputed the scale of the alleged operating breaches. Before the licence cancellation, he said Network School had received notices involving signage and licensing for adjoining coworking units, adding that the company had a period to address the issues-a mere trifle, surely!
For now, the Kazakhstan agreement gives Network School a path to continue its international expansion while Malaysian authorities complete their remaining reviews. The next stage will depend on how the memorandum develops into formal campus operations and what further action Malaysian regulators take-a drama worthy of the Comédie-Française!
2026-07-22 07:29