Johor

Bitdeer

2026-09-30 01:28:51

Bitdeer says over 70% of capacity at Malaysia AI data center has been committed

Bitdeer said more than 70% of the capacity at its 21.7MW A201 AI data center in Johor, Malaysia, has already been committed. The company said the related contracts are expected to generate more than $1.7 billion in revenue over the next five years. Based on that progress, Bitdeer said signed revenue backlog for its AI Cloud business has risen to about $2.9 billion. The facility is scheduled to be energized in the first quarter of 2027. Bitdeer said the site will mainly deploy NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 liquid-cooled systems, while reserving part of the space for the next-generation Vera Rubin platform. The company also said AI projects currently under discussion exceed $10 billion in size.

340

Malaysia

2026-07-30 22:08:31

Malaysia police raid illegal Bitcoin mining sites in Johor, seize 71 machines

Police in Johor, Malaysia, raided four rental houses on July 22 and 23, seizing 71 Bitcoin mining machines and arresting three people, according to Techub News, which cited DW. Authorities said the group bypassed electricity meters to steal power, causing losses estimated at about $16,600. The seized machines were said to generate roughly $17,200 to $21,500 in monthly revenue. Data from Malaysia’s Energy Ministry shows the scale of power theft tied to illegal crypto mining has risen sharply in recent years. Cases increased from 610 in 2018 to 2,397 in 2024. Between 2020 and 2025, the national power company identified nearly 14,000 related sites, with cumulative losses reaching about 1.1 billion euros. The ministry said such activity poses a serious threat to public safety and the electricity system.

2020

Malaysia

2026-07-30 04:42:00

Malaysian police raid two Forest City scam hubs, arrest 335

Malaysian police raided two suspected international cyber fraud hubs in Forest City, Johor, on July 15 and arrested 335 people, according to Techub News, citing Japan Times. Police said the group allegedly targeted victims in China and Indonesia through cryptocurrency investment scams and romance scams. During the operation, authorities seized 313 computers, 1,557 mobile phones and SUVs worth about $245,000. Johor police chief Ab Rahaman Arsad said suspects approached victims through Telegram, WhatsApp and TikTok. Those arrested included 309 Chinese nationals and 19 Indonesians, among others. Police said the scam operation was based inside the Forest City development built by Chinese developer Country Garden Holdings, and stressed that the raid was unrelated to the recently shut down Network School.

530

Policy & Regu

2026-07-22 13:06:10

Malaysia Revokes Network School License, Dealing a Blow to Balaji Srinivasan’s Real-World Network State Trial

Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School, launched in Malaysia’s Forest City as a real-world test of the “Cloud First, Land Last” thesis from his book The Network State, has lost its business license. The Iskandar Puteri City Council revoked the license on July 21, 2026, with the shutdown taking effect on July 22. The move followed a political flare-up in Johor after an anonymous Instagram account alleged that Israelis were present at the school using third-country passports, an accusation that gained weight because Malaysia does not recognize Israel and the two countries have no diplomatic ties. Authorities moved quickly. Malaysia’s Home Ministry stepped in on July 14, and immigration officials checked 266 foreigners from 40 countries the following day, finding all documents valid. Balaji responded on July 16, calling the claims baseless, saying officials were courteous and professional, while arguing that “the process is the punishment.” He also said more than RM100 million had already gone into the project, that it had created dozens of local jobs, and that a planned RM500 million expansion and a global scholarship initiative with the Replit founder would be paused. The episode goes beyond one school. It puts a familiar crypto-era question back on the table: online communities can gather talent, capital, and identity across borders, but once they lease space, teach classes, and move people on the ground, they operate within the reach of licenses, local law, and state power.

2000

Johor

2026-07-21 11:25:00

Johor orders Network School to halt Malaysia operations and revokes Forest City business license

The Johor state government has revoked the Forest City business license of NS0 Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., the entity operating Network School in Malaysia, and ordered it to cease all operations starting July 22, according to a statement from Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The state said the move followed enforcement inspections and legal procedures, adding that projects with investment backing would still face “zero tolerance” treatment if they breached licensing conditions, immigration rules, or raised security and sovereignty concerns. Johor also urged the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, police, and other security agencies to continue investigating possible misuse of second passports, false identity representations, and violations of entry requirements. In parallel, it asked the Digital Ministry and MDEC to review the project’s “Malaysia Digital” and related qualifications, while tightening due diligence and inter-agency coordination around foreign-backed entities, their funding sources, and operational narratives. Network School was launched by former Coinbase CTO and The Network State author Balaji Srinivasan as a paid co-living and coworking community for founders, engineers, creators, and digital nomads.

1850

Balaji Sriniv

2026-07-17 21:28:50

Balaji says investment in Malaysia project is paused as Johor authorities investigate

Network School, a co-living community founded by former Coinbase Chief Technology Officer Balaji Srinivasan, is under investigation by authorities in Johor, Malaysia, according to Techub News, citing the South China Morning Post. Srinivasan said additional investment has been paused for now, and capital could be withdrawn depending on the outcome of talks with local officials. The probe followed online allegations that Israeli individuals were involved in the project and had entered the country using second passports. The episode has also drawn attention to questions around Malaysia's openness to technology talent. The project team is now in communication with authorities, and any follow-up investment decision will hinge on the results of those discussions.

1970

Malaysia

2026-07-15 00:56:02

Johor asks federal government to investigate Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School

Johor state in Malaysia has asked the federal government to investigate Network School, a private residential community founded by former Coinbase chief technology officer Balaji Srinivasan, according to BFM News. The request follows allegations that some Israeli citizens joined the project using third-country passports. State authorities have asked the Home Ministry and related enforcement and security agencies to verify the identities, nationalities, and entry purposes of the individuals involved. They also want to determine whether the project’s operations require registration or official approval under Malaysian law. In parallel, authorities plan to review whether the site complies with rules covering venue permits, building use, land use, accommodation operations, and commercial activities. Johor said legal action will be taken if any violations are found. Network School is located in Forest City, Malaysia, and is described as a private residential community built around Srinivasan’s “Network State” concept. Membership starts at $1,500 per month and includes lodging, meals, fitness facilities, and co-working services.

1900