The Malaysian government has ordered the closure of Network School, a startup-focused community founded by entrepreneur and investor Balaji Srinivasan. Marketed as “a frontier community for techno-optimists,” the initiative was part of Srinivasan’s broader vision, described in his 2022 book “The Network State,” to create a new society as an alternative to what he views as the United States' ongoing decline. The program was based in an abandoned hotel in Malaysia and functioned partly as a tech incubator and partly as a retreat for self-improvement.

Despite its ambitious goals, Network School reportedly faced numerous challenges. Attendees voiced criticisms about the physical conditions of the facility, mentioning issues such as moldy rooms. Others noted a lack of diversity, particularly a scarcity of women and nightlife options on the campus. These issues, along with licensing hurdles, contributed to the eventual decision by Malaysian authorities to shut down the program.

Balaji Srinivasan, who publicly renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2023 and declared himself a “proud Singaporean,” responded to media reports by accusing the Wall Street Journal of preparing a damaging "hit piece." He framed their coverage as an attempt to portray him as an eccentric early adopter rather than a serious visionary. Despite the setback in Malaysia, Srinivasan recently announced plans to open a new campus in Kazakhstan as part of continuing the Network School project.

The closure of Network School marks a significant moment in Srinivasan’s effort to build an alternative digital society and underscores the complex regulatory and logistical challenges such ventures face on an international scale. While the Malaysian chapter may have ended, the broader mission to establish a new type of community appears to persist with the forthcoming Kazakhstan location.