● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 negative
Malaysian Government Orders Shutdown of Balaji Srinivasan's Network School
Key points
- Malaysian government ordered the shutdown of Network School.
- Shutdown is due to licensing issues.
- Network School is a startup-centric community founded by Balaji Srinivasan.
- Srinivasan announced a new campus agreement in Kazakhstan.
Malaysian Government Orders Shutdown
The Malaysian government has mandated the closure of the Network School, a community focused on startups, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal. This decision stems from licensing issues identified with the operation of the school in Malaysia.
Background of the Network School
The Network School, described as 'a frontier community for techno-optimists,' was established by entrepreneur and investor Balaji Srinivasan. Srinivasan's stated goal is 'to start a new country,' with the Network School representing the initial phase of a seven-stage plan outlined in his book, 'The Network State.' The program, based in an abandoned Malaysian hotel, was characterized as a blend of a tech incubator and a self-improvement retreat.
Attendee Complaints and Srinivasan's Response
Attendees of the Network School reported issues such as moldy rooms, a lack of women, and limited nightlife. Following inquiries from The Wall Street Journal, Srinivasan, who reportedly renounced his American citizenship in 2023, posted on X declaring himself 'a proud Singaporean' and criticized the WSJ for what he termed a 'hit piece.'
Future Plans in Kazakhstan
Despite the impending shutdown of the Malaysian campus, Srinivasan has announced a new agreement for a Network School campus to be established in Kazakhstan. This indicates a continuation of his initiative in a new location.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
The Malaysian government has ordered the shutdown of the Network School, a startup community founded by Balaji Srinivasan, due to licensing issues. This development follows attendee complaints about conditions and Srinivasan's public statements regarding his citizenship and the school's purpose.