The Immigration Department is conducting an intensive search for 19 foreign visitors whose movements cannot be verified in connection with the Network School operations at Forest City in Johor, where allegations have emerged concerning the participation of Israeli nationals. Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban disclosed the tracking efforts during a press briefing at the 2026 Immigration Day celebration in Cyberjaya, emphasising that investigators are working to establish the immigration status of these individuals and pinpoint their current locations.
A comprehensive audit by the Immigration Department identified a total of 430 foreign visitors connected with the Network School activities. Of this cohort, 210 individuals remain within Malaysian territory while 201 have already exited the country. The remaining 19 individuals present a particular challenge to immigration authorities, as their movements either into, within, or out of Malaysia cannot be properly documented through standard immigration channels. These cases have raised serious questions about potential breaches in border control procedures.
Datak Zakaria acknowledged the possibility that the 19 unaccounted individuals may have violated Malaysian immigration law through either illegal entry or illegal departure without proper documentation. The Immigration Department's ongoing investigation aims to determine whether these individuals are still present in Malaysia or have already absconded from the country. This admission underscores vulnerabilities in monitoring systems at a time when concerns about border security and visitor tracking have become increasingly prominent in public discourse.
The Network School issue first gained widespread public attention after content shared on social media platforms, including videos circulated on Threads, raised questions about the true nature of the school's operations and alleged connections to Israeli nationals. These posts sparked public concern about whether foreign nationals might be circumventing Malaysian immigration protocols by using passports issued by third countries to gain entry into Malaysia. The controversy prompted Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi to formally request a comprehensive investigation into the matter by the Home Ministry and relevant enforcement agencies.
While tracking these individuals, immigration officials have conducted extensive checks on the visitors already identified in relation to the Network School programme. Notably, Datuk Zakaria reported that no evidence of passport fraud or misuse was detected during these inspections. All individuals examined were found to be travelling on valid passports properly issued by their respective countries of origin, suggesting that if any violations occurred, they would likely involve misrepresentation of travel purposes rather than document forgery.
The allegation that Israeli nationals may have utilised alternative passports to enter Malaysia carries significant political and diplomatic implications for the country. Malaysia maintains a principled position regarding Palestinian issues and has historically maintained restrictions on Israeli entry. The suggestion that individuals might be circumventing these restrictions through technical loopholes has raised concerns about enforcement consistency and the adequacy of screening procedures at border checkpoints.
The investigation into the Network School has expanded beyond immigration concerns to encompass broader questions about the nature and legitimacy of the educational operations. Multiple government agencies have been mobilised to examine the situation, including the Royal Malaysia Police and coordination with the Johor state government and local authorities. This multi-agency approach reflects the seriousness with which officials are treating the allegations and the recognition that the matter extends beyond simple immigration compliance issues.
The timing of the disclosure during the 2026 Immigration Day celebration, which was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and other senior government officials, demonstrates the heightened priority given to the matter at the highest levels of government. The presence of these officials underscored the government's commitment to addressing public concerns and ensuring that border security procedures are robust and properly enforced.
For Malaysian readers and regional observers, this incident highlights ongoing tensions between Malaysia's immigration objectives and the practical challenges of enforcing border controls in an era of sophisticated travel document systems and international mobility. The case also raises broader questions about how Malaysia can maintain its principled foreign policy positions while managing the complex realities of modern international travel and educational exchange programmes. The tracking of these 19 individuals will likely reveal important information about vulnerabilities in the current immigration monitoring system that may require policy adjustments or enhanced technology deployment to prevent similar incidents in future.
