Faded ringgit notes not fake: BNM
Published on: Wednesday, December 05, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Bank Negara has assured those having discoloured banknotes that these are still legal tender.The advice comes in the wake of public inquiries to Daily Express from consumers having RM1 and RM10 notes in their possession which have faded in appearance on the sides.They said cashiers at business outlets refused to accept these notes, claiming that they are fake.
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"There is no doubt that it has all the physical features of a real banknote but it feels different from an actual one. Moreover, the faded bluish colour at the side further increased my suspicion because my other similar notes did not have this appearance," said a complainant. However, a spokesman for Bank Negara said the banknote in question is genuine."We confirmed that this is not fake after finding that it has all the security features of a genuine banknote," he said, explaining that he assumed the faded colour was due to substantial exposure to detergent-laden water during laundry. He said a genuine banknote has a unique feel, crisp sound and slightly rough in the heavily printed areas.
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"We can actually feel the raised printing effect by touching several parts of the banknote."Moreover, the paper used for making the counterfeit notes appears to be poor quality and made from most common commercial type of paper. So this can be easily seen and felt," he added.
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He advised members of the public to look at the banknote against white light and observe the transparent window containing an embossed numeral "1". "A complete shadow image of the 'songket' and crescent and star printed in white from the back can also be seen against such light."A fake note doesn't have these features," he said.He said it is a criminal offence to print, keep or pass on counterfeit banknotes and that those who have doubt that the currency in their hand is genuine can lodge a police report or proceed to the nearest Bank Negara office. "We have all the necessary equipment to examine the money and normally this process doesn't take long," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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