THE NEW SERIES OF MALAYSIAN BANKNOTES

Dear Readers,

This evening as we were in my sister in law's house celebrating her son's 9th birthday, as were chatting after dinner. I heard over the prime time news. Our current prime ministers had earlier launch the latest edition of Malaysia Currency notes/Bank Notes.

All the currently used notes will be replaced, and with RM20 is being reintroduced to the people of Malaysia. The ringgit Malaysia RM20 was first introduce in 1989. image below, during the third series of Malaysia Bank Notes, the RM20 notes were discontinued and ceased to be legal tender in 1996.

 

In May 2011,There were news being mentioned that Bank Negara Malaysia had announced that they will introduce a new series of banknotes in order to replace the current design that has been in circulation for around 15 years. The most highlighted part of the announcement is the re-introduction of the RM20 note, which was not included in the third series. The design of the new notes will be announced between July and September 2011, and the notes are expected to be put into circulation in January 2012, that was the original plan. 

Finally The forth series of Malaysia new notes has been officially launched today 21st December 2011 by our country's Prime Minister, and will be made available to the public for circulation some where in the second quoter of 2012.

The Technical Specification for the Malaysia New Currency Notes (Fourth Series)

Information of Malaysia Fourth Series Currency Notes

RM1 polymer banknote

Traditional Sport

Kite-flying is a popular traditional sport in Malaysia especially in Kelantan and Terengganu. Kite-flying is also traditionally a celebration of a good harvest which brings together the local communities in these states.

Amongst the best-known and most iconic Malaysian kites is the 'Wau Bulan' or Moon Kite which is featured on the new RM1. 

The Wau Bulan, which is hand crafted from bamboo and paper, is also a popular decorative item that adorns the walls of Malaysian homes.

 

 

RM5 polymer banknote
Widlife

Featured on the new RM5 polymer banknote is the Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), one of the largest and most magnificent hornbill species in the world.

Found in low densities throughout various rainforests in the country, this beautiful, broad-winged and long-tailed forest bird plays an important role in the customs and traditional ceremonies in Sarawak which is known as 'Bumi Kenyalang' or 'Land of Hornbills'.

Hornbill is also seen as a symbol of strength and courage by the native communities of Sarawak.

RM10 banknote
Flora

Malaysia's lush tropical jungle, which is one of the world's oldest living rainforest, is home to a spectacular variety of flowering plants. Most iconic amongst them is the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower.

The Rafflesia Azlanii species featured on the new RM10 banknote is indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia and was first discovered in the Royal Belum Forest Reserve of the state of Perak in 2003.

To commemorate its discovery, this majestic flower was named after the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Yusuff Izzuddin  Shah Ghafarullahu-Lah.

 

RM20 banknote
Marine Life

As ambassadors of the rich and colourful marine life found in our tropical waters, two of the most well-known species of sea turtles endemic to Malaysian waters are on the new RM20 banknote - the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).

The Hawksbill is easily identified by its curved beak and scaly shell while the Leatherback has a leathery skin and seven ridges on its shell.

These gentle turtles are a reminder that their existence rests in the delicate balance of human activity and marine life conservation.

 

RM50 banknote
Agriculture and Technology

Oil palm and biotechnology are featured on the RM50 banknote as Malaysia's thriving economy icons. Oil palm has become the country's most valuable agricultural crop as Malaysia is one of the largest producer and exporter of palm oil in the world.

Biotechnology continues to drive this commodity up the value chain, supporting the nation's economic transformation towards higher value-added activities in the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors of the economy.

Crude palm oil is also used as the underlying commodity to facilitate Islamic financing

RM100 banknote
Natural Wonders

The magnificent beauty of Malaysia's two prominent natural wonders, declared 'World Heritage Sites' by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are portrayed on the RM100 banknote.

These are the Kinabalu Park in Sabah, home to the majestic Mount Kinabalu (the highest mountain in Southeast Asia) and the spectacular limestone pinnacle rock formations of Gunung Api valley, found within the Mulu National Park in Sarawak.

Together, they represent the many natural wonders of Malaysia that provides visitors a unique experience.

Distinctively Malaysia
The New Series of Malaysian Banknotes

The latest series of Malaysian banknotes draws its inspiration from elements which distinctively define the country's diverse culture, heritage and nature. 

Themed 'Distinctively Malaysia', the fourth series of Malaysian banknotes features traditional expressions in the art and craft, natural wonders, flora and fauna, economy and tradition.

Common Features

On the obverse side, all banknote denominations in the new series retain the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Tuanku Muhammad, the national flower Rosa-sinensis hibiscus (known locally as the 'Bunga Raya') and patterns of traditional woven fabric - the 'songket'.

The reverse side of each banknote denomination features different elements of nature, tradition, culture, flora, fauna and the economy that are distinctively Malaysia.