KOTA BARU, Oct 27 — A total of RM4 million in deposits to participate in the Malaysia Premier Visa Programme (PVIP) have been received since October 1, said caretaker Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

He said the amount involved 2,000 applicants from the 10,300 applications received thus far.

He also said that the PVIP is being implemented in phases and, in phase one, only a quota of 20,000 will be opened for eligible participants

"The PVIP has received RM4 million in deposits, this shows that many people want to reside in Malaysia,” he told a media conference after attending the Kita Demi Negara-East Zone Programme that was launched by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob at Dataran Lembah Sireh, Kota Baru today.

Elaborating, Hamzah said the vetting process of all PVIP applications will be carried out in detail, including involving the cooperation of Interpol.

"We work together with Interpol to ensure the authenticity of these people (applicants), whether they have committed crimes in their own countries and are trying to escape to our country... all these (vetting process) take time,” he said. — Bernama