Is it necessary to use an agency and complete an interview for a Non-B visa application in Penang?

Non - B in Penang.

The company where I will start working with already prepare all my paperwork and they ask me to pay an amount of money to go to Penang with an agency because as they said: "it will be hard to apply by yourself and you will have to make an interview with the agents there" .

Is it that true?

Is it a new requirement, to pass an interview?

I just want to know your experience there and how many of you used an agency or If you did it by yourself.

I went to Penang many times already to apply for a different kind of visa and quite easy if you have all your papers and the requirements that they ask for.

Thanks in advance! :)