Malaysia’s new series of banknotes began circulating on Monday after a suspension of 16 years.
The new edition banknotes feature “the unique Malaysia” by using the distinctive theme patterns to show Malaysian natural, historical and cultural heritages.
The banknote with 20-ringgit face value attracts the most attention among the new edition notes. The Central Bank of Malaysia reprints the 20-ringgit banknote for the sake of narrowing the gap between the banknotes of 10 ringgits and 50 ringgits so as to make it easier for the public use. Thus, Malaysia’s banknotes increase from five to six kinds of face values. (1 ringgit approximately equals 2 yuan.)
The design theme of the new banknotes better represents the characteristics of Malaysia. Each banknote of the new edition has its own design theme. The effigy of the first Malaysian king — End-Tunku Abdul Rahman — is printed on the front right of the banknotes; the national flower– Bunga Raya — is in the middle; the sign of Central Bank of Malaysia, the note number and different design patterns are on the back.
The Central Bank of Malaysia redesigns and recirculates designated banknotes every 12 years and many new counterfeit safety features have been added to this edition.
The Central Bank of Malaysia first released the 20-ringgit banknote in 1982, but it suspended printing the banknote in 1995 in accordance with related government policy.
