Immigration says 266 foreigners in Forest City have valid documents
A joint inspection confirmed that all 266 foreign residents examined in Forest City hold lawful immigration papers, a finding that follows allegations about the Network School community and the use of second‑country passports.
The short version
- Inspection involved immigration, Iskandar Puteri Council, MCMC, Johor state and police.
- All 266 individuals checked were found to have valid immigration documents.
- Further reviews are ongoing to verify full compliance with the Immigration Act.
Inspection conducted by multiple agencies
Immigration director‑general Zakaria Shaaban said an inspection was carried out yesterday in Forest City, a private residential enclave in Johor, together with the Iskandar Puteri City Council, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the Johor state government and the police. The coordinated effort aimed to verify the immigration status of foreign residents linked to recent allegations.
Zakaria issued a statement today outlining the purpose of the operation and the agencies involved. He highlighted that the inspection was prompted by concerns raised about the Network School community and reports that Israeli nationals might have entered Malaysia using second‑country passports, a scenario that normally requires explicit approval.
The home ministry had launched a probe after Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi called for a federal investigation. While the immigration department did not name the specific visa programme under review, it stressed that all foreign nationals are subject to the same legal requirements at entry points.
Findings confirm valid documents
Initial checks revealed that every individual inspected possessed immigration documents that matched current records. Zakaria said the department cross‑checked travel documents, relevant databases and enforcement records available at the time of inspection to reach this conclusion.
He added that the department’s database checks confirmed the legality of the passes held by the 266 foreigners, meaning their stay complies with existing immigration law. No immediate breaches were identified in the first round of verification.
The statement did not disclose which specific visa category the residents were using, but it reaffirmed that the immigration act applies uniformly to all foreign entrants, regardless of the programme under which they arrived.
Ongoing investigations and enforcement
Further reviews and investigations are continuing to ensure full compliance with the Immigration Act 1959/63 and related statutes. Zakaria said the department will examine any new information relating to misuse of identities, travel documents or breaches of conditions attached to issued passes.
He warned that the immigration department will work closely with the home ministry and other relevant agencies to scrutinise any irregularities. The focus will be on safeguarding national security and upholding the integrity of immigration facilities.
“The immigration department will not compromise on any breaches of immigration laws or misuse of immigration facilities,” he said, adding that enforcement action will be taken against individuals found to have broken the law.
“The immigration department will not compromise on any breaches of immigration laws or misuse of immigration facilities,” he said.”
What it means
What this changes for an applicant
- Current foreign residents in Forest City can take the inspection result as confirmation that their immigration status is recognised as lawful at present.
- However, they remain subject to further checks and could face enforcement if any misuse of passports or breach of visa conditions is later uncovered.
Source
This article was written by Malaysia Visa Guide, based on reporting by Free Malaysia Today. We summarise and explain the news in our own words; we do not reproduce it. Read the original report for the publisher's full account.
Last updated 2 August 2026.
News is a starting point, not advice.
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