Recently, I took a trip with colleagues to Forest City. Like many who spend too much time doomscrolling, I had already absorbed a steady diet of articles painting it as a desolate ‘Ghost City.’ In my head, it was the kind of place where tumbleweeds roll down spotless sidewalks– if Malaysia had tumbleweeds. If it weren’t for work, it would’ve been nowhere near my weekend plans. Spoiler: I was spectacularly wrong.
First surprise: Forest City is built on an actual island off Johor’s southwestern tip. True to its name, it looks like a neater, more Instagram-worthy Horizon Zero Dawn– planter boxes on balconies everywhere, like nature’s Pinterest board.
Second: The streets are so spotless even Singaporeans, who are literally two kilometers away, might nod in approval.
Third: The place is definitely not abandoned. Instead, it’s home to a growing tribe of headphone-wearing, Bermuda-clad, gym-sculpted, absurdly attractive and impressively outspoken young people.
The hotel we stayed in also doubles as accommodation for The Network School— Balaji Srinivasan’s experimental “Society-as-a-Service for techno-optimists.” Yes, it sounds like someone mashed up a business textbook with a tech bro’s LinkedIn profile, but hear me out.
It’s essentially a community where aspiring entrepreneurs live, learn, work, network and try to cheat death (literally– they’re into longevity). The whole thing struck me at first as bonkers billionaire cosplay. But the more I learned, the more I realized: maybe it’s bonkers with a plan.
Balaji’s book The Network State lays the foundation. The pitch? Forget nations built on geography decided by sword fights centuries ago. Instead, imagine sovereign “network states” built by like-minded people online—organizing through the internet (radical!), minting their own currencies on blockchain (of course), buying real estate via crowdfunding (GoFundMe meets SimCity), and governing through smart contracts (because democracy is so last week). If this sounds like Facebook groups on nukes, you’re not far off.
The first experiment of this grand plan begins here in Forest City, whose vision is equally ambitious. You only need to stroll into the visitors’ center to witness the absolutely breathtaking and impressively detailed diorama– and yes, I genuinely love architectural models with the enthusiasm of a ten-year-old at a train set exhibition.
And the kicker? Forest City is also a duty-free island and a Special Financial Zone with financial incentives for both local and foreign companies, essentially making it the business equivalent of a really attractive dating profile.
Both Forest City and The Network School seem perfectly matched– two ambitious projects that live confidently in the realm of “what if” rather than “what is.”
And honestly? After my visit, I’m rooting for them both.