Lim Lip Eng wants a guarantee that the PVIP application process will not be mismanaged like in previous visa issuance programmes. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has called for transparency in the newly launched premium visa programme (PVIP) aimed at luring wealthy foreigners, stating that it should not be a “secret” one for certain agents.
On Monday, home minister Hamzah Zainudin said the ministry had received 20,000 applications from agents on the first day of the PVIP’s launch last week.
Hamzah said the Cabinet had previously agreed that applicants needed to pay a one-time fee of RM200,000 and a one-time fee of RM100,000 per dependent.
In a statement, Lim asked who the government agencies and agents responsible for managing the PVIP application process were, saying the details were not available on government websites.
He also questioned how the agents were made aware of the programme in the first place.
“Are the agents qualified? Are they allowed to collect money or fees from the applicants?
“We already know the country has a dark history in the management of its visa and immigration process.
“What is the guarantee that this process will not be mismanaged like previous visa issuance processes, especially when it comes to collecting money?” he said.
Stating that “many officials” had been arrested in connection with the country’s visa management processes in the past, Lim stressed that the government needed to be transparent in PVIP’s planning and implementation.
Announced on Sept 1, the PVIP is meant to attract affluent individuals from all countries, except for those without diplomatic ties with Malaysia.
Hamzah previously said the ministry was confident the programme would draw “global tycoons” and boost foreign investment.
He also said the government was targeting 1,000 participants in the PVIP’s first year, with the home ministry expecting them to contribute RM200 million to the economy and fixed deposits of RM1 billion.
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