Forest City reaffirms zero-tolerance on regulatory breaches, backing government probe into Network School amid Israeli passport allegations.
PETALING JAYA: Forest City has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on regulatory breaches, saying all tenants, including Network School, remain subject to Malaysian laws and regulatory oversight.
In a statement today, Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd, the developer of Forest City, welcomed the government’s swift action and said it had extended its full cooperation to the relevant authorities throughout the investigation.
It also acknowledged Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo’s statement that any alleged breaches of the law or licensing requirements must be thoroughly investigated, with appropriate action taken if wrongdoing is established.
“Forest City has always operated in strict accordance with Malaysian laws, government policies and regulatory requirements. No tenant, operator or organisation is above the law.
“Any matter involving licensing, immigration or regulatory compliance must be determined through due process by the relevant authorities,” it said.
It said Network School was among the organisations attracted to the investment ecosystem being developed under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Forest City Special Financial Zone (SFZ).
However, it stressed that all investors, tenants and operators remain subject to Malaysian laws, licensing requirements and regulatory oversight, adding that it neither grants regulatory exemptions nor assumes the role of regulators or enforcement agencies.
Forest City reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards any breaches involving licensing conditions, immigration regulations or the misuse of premises.
It said it would exercise its full legal and contractual rights should the authorities establish any legal, licensing, immigration, land-use or contractual violations.
“As the master developer, our role is to support the Johor government’s vision of developing the JS-SEZ and Forest City SFZ into globally competitive hubs for high-value investments, digital innovation and emerging industries.”
Forest City added that it remained confident the outcome of the investigation would strengthen public and investor confidence in the Forest City Special Financial Zone and support efforts to attract more global information technology and artificial intelligence companies to Johor and Malaysia.
Previously, the Johor government called for a comprehensive investigation into the operations of Network School in Forest City following public concerns and allegations that Israeli nationals had participated in the programme using passports issued by other countries.
