Premium visa programme gets 20,000 applications on first day

Hamzah, pictured here presenting identification documents to a Mekar programme recipient, says PVIP fees may be raised in the next phase if the good response continues. – BERNAMApic

ARAU: The premium visa programme (PVIP) has been a huge success, with the Home Ministry receiving 20,000 applications from agents on the day of its launch on Thursday (Sept 1), says Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

"I would like to state that for the first phase, we have set a limit of no more than 25,000 applications,” the Home Minister told reporters after the Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (Mekar) programme with the Siamese community at the Prisons Training Centre (Pulapen), Perlis Correctional Centre, here on Monday (Sept 5).

Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, National Registration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, Perlis state secretary Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad as well as Dewan Negara member and Siamese Association of Malaysia chairman Senator Ak Nan a/l Eh Took were also present.

Hamzah said the Cabinet had previously agreed that applicants need to pay a one-time fee of RM200,000 and a one-time fee of RM100,000 per dependent.

"If the response is good, we might raise the fees in the next phase,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hamzah said the Mekar programme made it easier for the Siamese community in the state to change the descent information in the identity card from Thai to Siamese.

He said the Siamese community in Kedah, Kelantan, Perak and several other states were asked to apply for new identity cards at the nearest National Registration Department office.

Mekar was introduced in 2017 to provide Malaysians with easy access to services, including the registration of births, deaths and identification cards, along with advice, specially catered to residents in the interior and rural areas. – Bernama